By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – The Centralia teenager who accidentally shot his girlfriend when his pistol in his pocket discharged while she was sitting on his lap is off to prison after pleading guilty as charged.
Austin C. Courtright was facing a standard sentencing range of nine to 12 months but made a deal with prosecutors in which they agreed to recommend he serve one year plus one day.
Austin C. Courtright
The difference meant spending his time in state prison instead of at the Lewis County Jail, something he preferred, according to his lawyer.
His 21-year-old girlfriend was struck in her inner right thigh, and was treated at a hospital and then released the same day, Nov. 30. It happened in the basement of a home on First Street in Centralia.
Centralia police investigated and concluded it was accidental, but Courtright was charged with third-degree assault. He was also charged with second-degree unlawful possession of a firearm.
The then-18-year-old with previous convictions that prohibited him from having a gun told police he knew he wasn’t supposed to, but was afraid of being victimized by gang members who used to be his friends, according to prosecutors.
Courtright pleaded guilty last Thursday in Lewis County Superior Court and the judge agreed to the sentence. He made a so-called Alford plea to the charge of third-degree assault, not admitting guilt.
Defense attorney Chris Baum said he had a real issue with the assault charge, calling it a “stretch”.
It was a criminal negligence issue, his client didn’t know the gun was loaded, Baum said.
“I wasn’t suggesting he plead to that, but he did,” Baum said.
Judge Richard Brosey also ordered 12 months of community custody upon Courtright’s release and $1,400 in fines and legal financial obligations.
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For background, read “Accidentally shooting girlfriend brings criminal charge for Centralia teen” from Wednesday December 2, 2015, here
Tags: By Sharyn L. Decker, news reporter
I personally feel bad for Mr. Courtright. Yes, he was barred from legally owning a firearm, no dispute there. However, his intention was not to hurt anyone and this was accidental. If I were him I would have followed Chris Baum’s advice and not pled guilty to those charges. Assault was a huge stretch in this case. In order for their to be an assault they would have to prove intent. The burden of proof of intent is on the Prosecution. I can just about guarantee that the state would not have been able to prove that he intended to shoot and wound this girl. Had he played his cards right they only would have had one good solid charge against him. That charge would have been unlawful possession of a firearm. He did get a good deal but he could have gotten better. I hope you take this as a learning experience Austin. You are a very bright boy. You can accomplish great things. Put this crap behind you and make something of yourself. I know you are not stupid.
The sad thing is that this kid, only 18, knows it is better to serve time in prison versus county jail and he prefers that. I am sure his future will include a bit more prison time. Sad to see a life wasted so you.
Yes, a year for reckless endangerment, 180 days for DWLS 3* and a year for DUI.
All consecutive.
Yep. I know a guy who has 6 DUI’s. He has spent more than half of this century in jail or state prison. More than murderers and he hasn’t hurt anyone – but could have. He is currently out after last serving 16 months on a 2 year sentence in LC jail. He hasn’t driven since, which is good. He always thought he had the right to drive and would drive drunk, license or not. Jail was the only thing that could keep him off the road. But he is still drunk every day and is a frequent flyer at the local hospital. Sad.
Two years?
Yup, shoot a girl & get 366 days.
Drink & drive, don’t hurt anyone else & get over 2 years.
The legal system is fucked up.
Whoops, I thought the original story was that it happened in a car. Anyway, this guy is a dumbass and he deserves to be in state prison. And he definitely shouldn’t be reproducing but we have a lot of that in Lewis County.
**** Happy New Year *****
I was young once. So I’m thinking that she is sitting in his lap face to face in the car and they are getting it on. What a dummy – always remove your pistol before having sex. This guy is so dumb he belongs in jail.
As they used to tell us in the army: This is your rifle, this is your gun, this is for shooting, this is for fun:)