Wyatt J. Becker, 21 and facing five years in prison, told Judge Robert C. Noonan today that he's a changed man.
He said he's gone from only thinking of himself to seeing how he's hurt people and understanding their point of view.
"I can't believe how selfish I used to be," Becker said. "I don't know ho to make up for all of the damage I've done and how to say how much remorse I have for the victim and his family. Forgiveness shouldn't be granted for me for my words, but should be because of my future actions."
Becker promised Noonan he would never see him in court again. He read from a statement that appeared to be typed on a sheet of yellow legal paper.
On March 15, Becker entered a guilty plea to assault, 2nd, and DWI. As part of the plea deal, he as facing a maximum of five years in prison, and that's exactly the sentenced handed down by Noonan.
Becker was the driver in an Aug. 3 accident on Pike Road, Alexander, that seriously injured his passenger.
The accident led to the felony assault charge against Becker.
By November, Becker was a fugitive after missing an arraignment date in Noonan's court. He was arrested in December.
The five sober months Becker has spent in jail has given him a chance to reflect on his life and his bad choices, Becker told Noonan.
Noonan told Becker today that in reading his pre-sentencing report he noted the Becker claimed his actions in August were not out of the ordinary for a person his age.
Noonan disagreed.
"Any recognition or reflection on your conduct should start with the realization that your incarceration is the result of a lot of bad choices that are not reflective on the population as a whole," Noonan said. "The population on the whole is made up of a lot of 21 year olds who have never been in a courtroom and never will be in a courtroom."
The judge said he hoped by the time Becker gets out of jail, he'll realize that his peers, on the whole, are not engaging in conduct that gets them in trouble with the law.
