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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Sirens & Gavels

Drunk man can’t recall shooting sis’ car

A 19-year-old Nespelem man was so drunk he didn't realize he'd targeted his sister when he fired shots at people and cars on the Colville Indian Reservation in September 2009, according to court documents.

Robert L. Picard III is to serve 84 months in federal prison after pleading guilty to three counts of assault . A co defendant, John Edward McGinnis, 24, pleaded guilty to one count of assault last November and is to be sentenced in April.

According to court documents prepared for Picard's defense, McGinnis had recently been released from prison when Picard and others picked him up after a night of heavy drinking on Sept. 20, 2009. The men drove around Nesplelem looking shooting at cars after McGinnis said he was looking for someone, according to court documents.

"Mr. Picard was extremely intoxicated to the extent that he is unable to recall much, if anything, from that night. Ultimately, he had no idea who was in the vehicles that he shot at," according to a sentencing memorandum prepared by his public defender, Jaime Hawk. "He was particularly saddened to later learn that his own sister was an occupant of one of the vehicles."

Picard was sentenced Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Spokane. He's at the Spokane County Jail waiting transport to federal prison.



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