A 40-year-old Indian Hills man with three prior felony convictions was sentenced Monday to four years in prison after he threatened his pregnant girlfriend with a knife two days before Christmas.
District Judge Michael Gibbons told John Henry Collins he must serve 18 months before he is eligible for parole.
The victim, cradling the couple's month-old-son, told Gibbons she wasn't afraid of Collins and wanted him to come home so they could raise the child together. She said the baby was born with brain cysts and she needed Collins' help.
"At the time, I was very angry," she said. "I had a lot of fear that day. I'd like for John to come home so we can work things out and take care of our child. We can go to counseling and do what we need to do."
Collins pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon.
Attorney Tod Young said his client started smoking cigarettes soaked formaldehyde at age 12. His continuous heavy use of drugs and alcohol caused Collins to suffer uncontrollable psychotic episodes that mimicked mental illnesses similar to paranoid schizophrenia.
Collins underwent a psychological evaluation by Dr. Joe McEllistrem who said the episodes were triggered by alcohol or drug use and withdrawal.
On Dec. 23, according to reports, Collins admitted drinking three 24-ounce beers. He armed himself with two knives and was slashing furniture and threatening the victim who was 6-1/2 months pregnant. She was not injured.
Deputies arrived, drew their weapons, and ordered Collins to drop the knives which he did. He was taken into custody and hasbeen in Douglas County Jail for 90 days.
Young asked that Collins be placed on probation and admitted to drug court.
"He must maintain absolute sobriety. Periods of previous incarceration did not solve this problem. It has not ended his abuse of drugs or criminal activity. I know he has a horrible record. His conduct this time was dangerous, but when officers came, he dropped the knives. Drug court is the best chance of eliminating ... 'psychotic reactions.' He can be warehoused, but that won't provide treatment," Young said.
Prosecutor Tom Gregory opposed probation.
He said through Collins' multiple convictions he'd been offered treatment.
"The system has tried drug court, Salvation Army, BADA (Bureau of Drug and Alcohol) programs, prison counseling. When he gets out, he goes right back to meth. There's some dangerousness involved here to himself, to the people he's around and to society," Gregory said.
Collins, fighting back tears, said he was too distraught to make a statement.
Gibbons pointed out a letter from Collins detailing how he stopped the jail from releasing him by mistake instead of another inmate with the same last name. Collins said in his letter that in previous days, he would have kept quiet about the mistake and allowed himself to be released.
Gibbons acknowledged Collins' rough childhood and his attempt to put his criminal past behind him, but said the effects of the substance abuse can continue to occur long after he is sober.
"You put people at risk," Gibbons said. "The court is forced to take action to make sure this does not happen again."
He told the victim that despite Collins' best intentions, "he still may do crazy things to put you and your baby at risk."
He told Collins "you absolutely have to quit using any controlled substances or alcohol. You have a little baby to be concerned about."
