Jail is ordered in perjury case

SANDPOINT — A Bonner County woman convicted of perjuring her testimony in a felony assault case was ordered Friday to serve 30 days in jail.

Megan Marie Albertson appeared to apologize in a barely audible voice during her sentencing 1st District Court.

Albertson, 34, was charged with perjury last year after she provided an alibi defense for Brandon Scott Cramer, who was accused of threatening two people with a pistol south of Oldtown. Alberton’s perjured testimony, along with that of three others, led to an initial dismissal of the charges against Cramer.

However, Bonner County Chief Deputy Prosecutor Shane Greenbank had the charges reinstated and charged Albertson, WendyJo Cramer, and Steven Craig Walkup with perjury.

WendyJo Cramer and Walkup entered into plea agreements which resulted in 10-day prison terms.

Albertson’s case proceeded to trial earlier this month and a jury found her guilty of providing untruthful testimony.

Bonner County Interim Prosecutor Joshua Smith pointed out that the penalty for perjury — up to 14 years in prison — underscores the significance of truthful testimony in a court proceeding.

“The state Legislature has determined how important it is that people are candid and truthful when they’re put on the stand,” said Smith, who added that Albertson’s testimony at trial was also untruthful.

Smith recommended a six-month jail term and two years of probation, while Public Defender Serra Woods recommended a sentence on par with the other defendants accused of perjury.

“She doesn’t have a record,” said Woods.

Nearly a dozen of Albertson’s supporters submitted letters to the court attesting to her character and her value as an employee for a group that works with kids with special needs.

Judge Barbara Buchanan admitted she was “baffled” by Albertson’s misconduct in light the praise she received from friends and coworkers.

“How do you come into a courtroom and raise your and swear to tell the truth and just lie?” Buchanan asked.

Buchanan agreed to grant a withheld judgment, which means Albertson can have the felony blotted from her record upon successful completion of her court-ordered obligations.

Such judgments are imposed against defendants who have otherwise clean records and when their misconduct is regarded as an aberration. But Buchanan also imposed a 30-day local jail term.

“There have to be consequences, certainly,” said Buchanan.

Buchanan explained that she received a longer term than her co-defendants for wasting state resources for a needless jury trial.

Albertson was also fined $300, ordered to complete 100 hours of community service and pay various court fees.

Keith Kinnaird can be reached by email at kkinnaird@bonnercountydailybee.com and follow him on Twitter @KeithDailyBee.