"Psychological issues is not a reason to shoot somebody"

Sentencing scheduled for Aaron Hooven today was continued to December 4. The case of perpetual continuances lived up to the moniker.

On September 17, Hooven entered a guilty plea to Count 1, shooting at an inhabitated dwelling. Count 2, assault with a firearm on a person was dismissed. Hooven entered a conditional plea based on him being granted probation.

I had mentioned in my last post about how the victim Kyle Jacobsen felt about the plea. I found out today. Before court, Jacobsen told me he was upset about Hooven getting probation. "Guess I can go out and shoot at somebody and get away with it. " He clarified that he was just expressing his frustration at the resolution. In court, Jacobsen told Judge Christopher Wilson he had mixed feelings about the plea.

Jacobsen told Judge Wilson this incident had a psychological impact on his family. He has out of pocket expenses to fix his car. "Psychological issues is not a reason to shoot somebody," said Jacobsen. "Jeffrey Dahmer had a bunch of issues too. Look where he us now."

Before Jacobsen made his victim impact statement, the attorneys weighed in on Probation's recommendation, which was 180 days in jail and the rest on probation.

Hooven's attorney, Deputy Conflict Counsel Owen Tipps asked for less jail time. Mr. Tipps said Hooven had "interruption in his psychotropic medications that led to the incident. He said Hooven's meds were changed.

Deputy DA Roger Rees said, "We are opposed to a grant of probation." Mr. Rees said that Probation did not do an analysis according to certain criteria about Hooven's release and the impact on public safety.

"He didn't just display a gun," said Mr. Rees." He fired a gun on a car with a family inside." The incident was over a traffic dispute and probation is not appropriate.

"If Mr. Hooven has a break in his meds again, the community is at risk. I think the Court should reject the plea and the case should go trial." Mr. Rees said if the Court was going to grant probation that Hooven be sentenced to 365 days in jail and be put on probation for 5 years.

"Mr. Hooven does not have a substanial criminal history," said Judge Wilson. "He is on meds and had a bizarre incident which can be explained by mental health issues. This is a good case for diagnostic evaluation."

 Hooven will be revaluated by Probation according to the criteria Mr. Rees mentionef and the Judge may reject the plea.

Previous post:
https://johnchiv.blogspot.com/2019/09/the-endless-continuances-paid-off-for.html?m=1