How consistent are sentences in Lane County for major crimes?

Consistency in sentencing is important. The local print media does a fair job in reporting on individual cases but typically fails to report how a given case fits in with other recent similar cases. Here's a snapshot of some of Lane County's recent high profile sentences.

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5.8 yrs. - What does it take to get 70 months in prison?

The Russian Armed Robbers - 2009

• Crimes: 2 take-over style armed robberies of a Junction City market and a Coburg coffee kiosk.
• Plea deal: faced Robbery I and at least 140 months, pleaded to two Robbery IIs.
• Firearm: one sawed off shotgun in the clerks faces.
• Victims: Multiple clerks and customers including a 10-year-old girl who watched her mom have a shot gun in her face.
• Likely Motive: funding meth habit
• Criminal History: 1 defendant had prior Burg 1, UUV, Forg 1, and other crimes.
• Number of Perpetrators: 3
• Judge: No discretion in sentence; stipulated prison term.
• Prosecutor: Lane
• Defense Attorneys: Jeffery M. Jones (retained); Ferder (retained); Rainwater (appointed)
• News Reports: R-G

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11.6 yrs - What does it take to get 140 months?


The Mazzi/Beaudet Jewelry Simulated Armed Heists - 2009

• Crimes: 6 takeover-style armed robberies with a toy gun; robbed Mazzi's Restaraunt four times; robbed Beaudet's twice.
• Plea deal: faced at least 360 months (30 years) and California, Nevada, and the Feds agreed not to pursue at least four other similar robberies.
• Firearm: air pistol or BB gun.
• Victims: Multiple clerks and customers feared being executed.
• Likely Motive: Gambling debts. Likely greed and thrill.
• Criminal History: none; model student.
• Number of Perpetrators: 1
• Judge: No discretion in sentence; stipulated term.
• Prosecutor: Schwartz
• Defense Attorney: Deal (appointed)
• News Reports: R-G 1/2/09; 1/3/09.

17.5 yrs - What does it take to get 210 months?

ATM Carjackings - 2009

• Crimes: 3 women kidnapped and ordered to drive to ATMs and then their addresses were stolen as threats to victims.
• Plea deal: faced 43+ years; Agreed to a range of 70-210 months.
• Firearm: none but one threatened and purportedly hidden.
• Victims: Three women over five days.
• Likely Motive: funding heroin habit
• Criminal History: minimal.
• Number of Perpetrators: 2
• Judge: Cindy Carlson.
• Prosecutor: Lane
• Defense Attorneys: Coit (retained); Arnold (retained); Volmert (appointed)
• News Reports: R-G

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20 years - What does it take to get 240 months?

Eugene's Deadliest Drunk Driving Accident in History - 2009

• Crimes: Runs read light at 92 mph killing two adults and two children and critically injuring another child while 0.21% BAC.
• Plea Deal: pleaded to indictment - Manslaughter I x 4; Assault 2; Reckless Driving. According to the news reports, court had discretion to impose 46 years.
• Victims: four deaths; one critically injured child.
• Likely Motive: left the bar angry
• Criminal History: unknown
• Number of Perpetrators: 1
• Judge: Billings
• Prosecutor: Vill.
• Defense Attorney: Cascagnette (appointed); Koenig (appointed on limited basis)
• News Reports: KVAL; RG; Fox

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22.7 yrs - What does it take to get 272 months?

Romania Chevrolet SUV Ecosabotage - 2001

• Crimes: set fire to three SUVs while under federal domestic counter terrorism surveillance with one security guard present. Also, attempted to set fire to Tyree Oil Co.
• Plea deal in 2001: none. Bench trial. Convicted of Arson I x 3; Attempted arson I x unlawful possession of a destructive device x 2; unlawful manufacture of a destructive device; criminal mischief I; attempted criminal mischief I.
• Plea deal in 2008: Oregon Court of Appeals ruled that crimes should have merged. Resentenced to 10 years.
• Victims: SUVs were salvageable. Original prosecutor argued risk to fire fighters and night watchman.
• Likely Motive: political/environmental
• Criminal History: none.
• Number of Perpetrators: 2
• Judge: Velure (2001); Billings (2008)
• Prosecutor: Tracy (2001); Hasselman (2008)
• Defense Attorneys: Barnes (retained 2001); Regan (retained resentencing after appeal)
• News Reports: EW; RG