Michael Fisher Wilson was charged with aggravated motor vehicle theft, criminal attempt to commit robbery, vehicular eluding, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and second-degree burglary.<\/p>\n
On the morning of Oct. 30 at the Grocery Store at Bayfield, 381 E. Colorado Drive, Wilson attempted to rob the store\u2019s owner, Paul Peeples.<\/p>\n
When the robbery was unsuccessful, Wilson led police on a 20-mile chase north of Bayfield in a car stolen from his mother, reaching speeds of 80 mph, and a multi-hour foot pursuit.<\/p>\n
He abandoned the car a couple of miles north of Vallecito Reservoir and broke into a Vallecito resident\u2019s home, where a woman inside persuaded him to leave before calling police.<\/p>\n
On Friday, Dianne Paxton recounted her morning commute when Wilson\u2019s reckless driving forced her off the road.<\/p>\n
\u201cHe made that vehicle into a 3,000-pound deadly weapon,\u201d she said. \u201cWithin split seconds, I had to swerve my car to avoid being hit. He exhibited an extreme disregard for human life that day.\u201d<\/p>\n
Annie Woods, Wilson\u2019s public defender, said the incident \u201cdoes not define Michael.\u201d<\/p>\n
She attributed his actions to a difficult childhood, including an abusive, drug-addicted mother, and mental illness.<\/p>\n