Fighting with officers lands man jail sentence
By medicinehatnews on February 25, 2021.
LETHBRIDGE HERALDdshurtz@lethbridgeherald.com Trying to take on three police officers at the same time didn’t turn out well for a 43-year-old Lethbridge man.Daniel Edward Collier was a passenger in a motor vehicle that was stopped by police last month, after police noticed the vehicle had a burned out taillight and licence plate light.
The officer recognized Collier and knew he was wanted on outstanding warrants, and he suspected Collier would not be co-operative so he called for backup.
After two other officers arrived, they convinced him to exit the vehicle, and while it appeared he would co-operate while they attempted to put handcuffs on him, he became upset and started yelling and kicking at the officers.
The kicking escalated to fighting, and after failing to get Collier to comply, despite striking him numerous times, an officer finally stunned him with a knee to the head.
Collier pleaded guilty Wednesday in Lethbridge provincial court to three counts of assaulting a peace officer, and was sentenced to 90 days in jail.
Lethbridge lawyer Tracy Hembroff told court her client was high on methamphetamine at the time, and between the drugs and knee to the head, has little recollection of the incident.
Crown Prosecutor Clayton Giles noted Collier, who appeared in court by CCTV from the Lethbridge Correctional Centre, has a long criminal record, which includes convictions for assaulting peace officers.
“He needs to stop fighting with police,” Giles said.
“All I can do is say I’m sorry,” Collier said, adding he plans to get treatment for his addiction after he is released from jail.
“I’ve had enough of this life for myself.”
The judge also urged Collier to get help, and told him she doesn’t want to read his obituary.
Although sentenced to 90 days in jail, Collier was given credit for 26 days spent in pre-trial custody, leaving a sentence of 64 days. He was also levied a victims’ surcharge of $100.
Additional charges of resisting a peace officer, possession of a weapon for a dangerous purpose, carrying a concealed weapon, and identity fraud to avoid arrest, were withdrawn. Follow @DShurtzHerald on Twitter 4
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