Minden woman sent to prison for DUI

A Minden woman with three prior convictions for driving under the influence of alcohol was sentenced Tuesday to up to 21Ú2 years in Nevada State Prison for her fourth conviction since 1999.

Tina Kanow was led sobbing from the courtroom after District Judge Dave Gamble said he had no alternative under Nevada law but to send her to prison.

Kanow, 54, is eligible for parole in 12 months. She was arrested Oct. 23, 2005, in Minden by a deputy who recognized her from previous contacts and knew her driver's license had been suspended for DUI.

Her blood-alcohol content was .26, three times the legal limit of .08 for driving in Nevada.

n A Reno man who sought a second month-delay in his sentencing was sentenced Tuesday to 21Ú2 years in Nevada State Prison for a third conviction of driving under the influence of alcohol.

Donald Patrick McCann, 34, requested the delay so he could arrange care for his mother who was seriously injured in a traffic accident.

Prosecutor Kris Brown objected saying the judge had granted a similar request in December.

McCann's lawyer William Routsis said his client was terrified of going to prison.

"He's learned his lesson," Routsis said.

McCann has prior convictions in Washoe County from October 2002 and January 2005. He was arrested in Douglas County on May 4, 2005, with a blood-alcohol content of .225, nearly three times the legal limit of .08 for driving in Nevada.

Gamble chastised McCann for failing to meet with state Parole and Probation officials to submit a pre-sentence report.

"I don't even have anything to say to you," Gamble said. "You didn't bother to tell anybody anything about you.

"You look like somebody who's scared to death. I would be scared, too. If you don't want to be here, you need to not drink anymore."

McCann is eligible for parole in 12 months.

n A 36-year-old Dresslerville woman who failed several attempts at probation and substance abuse treatment told a judge Tuesday she thinks prison may be the best place for her.

"I think prison is the only way to have closure in my life," said Natalie Box. "The last six years have been hell. I want to thank the court. You've been nothing but fair to me. Thank you for trying to help me."

District Judge Dave Gamble revoked Box's probation and sentenced her to 12 to 36 months in Nevada State Prison. A one-year sentence in Douglas County Jail is to run concurrent to the prison term.

"We've done everything I know how to do," Gamble said. "I hope you come out of there changed. You've got at least half your life ahead of you."

Box pleaded guilty to unlawful taking of a motor vehicle and supplying a controlled substance to inmates.

Her lawyer, Kevin Walsh, said Box suffered from manic depression and a back injury.

She was dropped from Western Regional Drug Court because she was taking prescription medications.