Judge rejects plea deal in ramming case

SANDPOINT — A former Bonner County man accused of driving his sport utility vehicle into the entrance of a Ponderay lounge in a dispute with the bartender last year was sentenced on Monday to time served.

Shaun Lee Spencer was originally charged with aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, but it was subsequently downgraded to felony assault through a plea agreement with the state.

In exchange for pleading guilty to the amended charge, the prosecution agreed to dismiss a drunken-driving charge arising from the same incident at the Hideaway Lounge in the early morning hours of March 1, 2008.

The plea agreement recommended 30 days in jail and a suspended underlying prison sentence. It further recommended $8,814 in restitution to the victim, who suffered injuries in the collision at the bar’s back door.

But Senior District Judge James Michaud declined to impose jail time, reimbursement to the state, fines or restitution in the case.

Spencer, a 31-year-old who has since relocated to Frenchtown, Mont., had maintained all along he drove the Jeep Cherokee into the entrance to stop the bartender from allegedly battering his girlfriend.

Chief Public Defender Isabella Robertson said the 23-year-old woman sought charges against the bartender, Charles Tyler Sprinkle, but Ponderay Police rejected the request. Robertson provided the court with photos of Spencer’s girlfriend, which appeared to show bruising on her arms and face.

Deputy Prosecutor Shane Greenbank introduced photos of the bartender, which depicted mottled bruises which ran the length of the man’s side.

Michaud said the images of Sprinkle showed him two things.

“He’s battered, bruised no doubt. But he’s a pretty big boy and I don’t know if I’m going to jump out of my car and go to the defense of this lady. You might use the means that you have at hand,” Michaud said.

Sprinkle, court documents indicate, stands 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 225 pounds.

Michaud said if the state were to try Spencer on the felony assault charge, it would run the “serious risk” of a hung jury or an acquittal on grounds Spencer was acting in the defense of another person.

Michaud called restitution in the matter, although attorneys on both sides of the case indicated Idaho’s crime victim compensation fund has already paid out an estimated $7,000.

Spencer was given credit for five days in jail he had served immediately following the incident.

Sprinkle, 29, was not present at Spencer’s sentencing hearing. Michaud noted that Sprinkle can seek damages against Spencer through a civil lawsuit.