By Joelyn Hansen
The Idaho Falls Post Register
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Nearly 20 law enforcement officers filled a Bonneville County courtroom Monday morning as an Idaho Falls man was sentenced for firing a .357 Magnum gun at Idaho Falls Police Sgt. Steven Poulter in March.
Franklin Crazythunder, 20, was sentenced to six to 15 years in prison for aggravated assault on an officer with a deadly weapon for shooting at Poulter during a March 4 traffic stop on North Water Avenue.
Bonneville County Deputy Prosecutor Danny Clark asked the court to sentence Crazythunder to 10 to 20 years in prison. Crazythunder told detectives during the investigation that shooting at Poulter was “better than a drug high.”
Clark also took offense to statements made by Crazythunder that he was in total control of the gun when he fired and would have hit Poulter only if he wanted to, despite admitting to being under the influence of drugs at the time of the shooting.
During Monday’s sentencing, Poulter described the incident in which Crazythunder leaned out the car’s passenger window and fired the gun toward him.
Poulter said Crazythunder’s actions caused anxiety, stress and fear for not only him but also to his family, fellow officers and the community.
“We should ask ourselves how many people were victimized by Crazythunder that day,” he said. “I would best describe Crazythunder’s act as an ambush.”
Clark said the officers in court Monday demonstrated the support behind Poulter and their intolerance of assaults on officers.
Crazythunder’s attorney, Kelly Mallard, said his client had an upbringing that many officers would never understand and that he regrets his actions.
He recommended that Crazythunder be sentenced to four years in prison and given the opportunity to undergo therapeutic treatment.
Crazythunder told the court that he “threw his life away.”
Copyright 2010 The Post Register