Prison ordered in shooting incident

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man who was shot in an armed confrontation that a jury found he started was ordered Tuesday to serve up to 10 years in prison.

Richard Allen Larson will have to serve at least four years before he can be considered for parole, according to the terms of the sentence imposed by 1st District Judge Steve Verby.

“Once again, I proclaim my innocence,” Larson said before the sentence was handed down.

Larson, 60, was accused of attacking his ex-girlfriend at a gate he erected on a private road they shared in February of last year. Lora Adams testified at trial that he struck her repeatedly and jammed a pistol into her face, causing the muzzle to leave a mark on her cheek. Adams’ boyfriend, John Bilsky, testified that he interrupted the attack and was fired upon by Larson.

Bilsky returned fire, hitting Larson.

Larson took the stand in his own defense at his trial in March and asserted that Adams attacked him. He testified that Bilsky was the one who touched off the exchange of gunfire.

But a jury of 10 women and two men found the alleged victims’ testimony more credible than the defendant’s and convicted Larson of two counts of aggravated battery.

Adams told the court on Tuesday that the incident and ensuing ordeal has upended her life, causing her to switch up daily routines and constantly look over her shoulder for 468 days.

“I have lived in fear of continued retribution for that time,” said Adams, who called for Larson to be held accountable so he cannot terrorize anybody else.

Through his attorney, Chief Public Defender Isabella Robertson, Larson sought a 30-day jail sentence with a suspended prison term or retained jurisdiction, which would qualify Larson for release after up to a year in prison.

Robertson said Larson does not believe he poses a risk to the community.

“He does not believe he’s in need of correctional treatment,” said Robertson.

Deputy Prosecutor Shane Greenbank disagreed, telling the court that the circumstances in the case weighed against a largely probationary sentence.

Greenbank entered into the record a prior domestic violence conviction against Larson in California. Larson was accused of threatening a former girlfriend who intended to leave him.

“It is strikingly similar to what we’re dealing with in this case,” said Greenbank.

Greenbank recommended consecutive prison sentences of up to five years because there were two victims and argued that anything less would diminish the seriousness of the offenses.

But Larson portrayed himself as the true victim in the matter and said if his counsel would have allowed a ballistic analysis, it would have shown that he was not the aggressor.

“I was shot first and I responded,” said Larson, adding that the victims’ accounts were contradictory.

Verby questioned Larson about the abrasion on Adams’ cheek.

“I believe the marks to her face were self-inflicted,” Larson replied.

Larson’s lack of remorse and the results of his presentence psychological evaluation appeared to inform the severity of the court’s sentence.

The evaluation indicated Larson used a façade of confidence and arrogance as cover for feelings of inadequacy, and when challenged the artifice would crumble and provoke uncontrollable rage and sudden, unanticipated violence.