CLEARFIELD – Prior to being found guily on all charges facing him, attorney’s squared off in the Michael Guelich trial.
Defense attorney Chris Pentz opened by talking to the jury about perception. He also asked, “Who was the most important witness?”
He later answered that question, stating that he believed the most important witness was Justin Butterworth, a 911 dispatcher at the Clearfield County Emergency Management 911 Center, received a telephone call around 11:45 p.m. on Oct. 10, 2009 from a “small, male child” who asked to speak with police because his father was “trying to kill” his mother and had a “whole bunch of guns.” He lost he call and police were contacted. Pentz indicated that Butterworth set the tone for police that evening. He stated that police believed the issue to be a domestic matter, when it was, in Pentz’s argument, a suicide case.
“My client wants to kill himself, he’s depressed,” said Pentz, explaining the defense’s take on the situation.
He stated that police were not ready for the scene that was before them when they arrived on scene. He talked about a “fog of stress and confusion” that enveloped the troopers. Pentz said the troopers perceived that Guelich was trying to shoot them. “Michael said he wasn’t.”
“Perception raises its ugly head,” said Pentz.
Clearfield County District Attorney William A. Shaw Jr. countered, stating that there is perception, deception, and reality. He brougt up Guelich’s hostage situation training, and stated that when he asked one of the responding troopers how long he’d been on the force, he was sizing him up. Shaw stated that Guelich wanted the police out, and they weren’t moving fast enough.
“They weren’t moving fast enough for him … so he let one fly,” said Shaw. He later used a photo exhibit and indicated Guelich shot the wall square. He also stated that it was not believable that Guelich, with his firearms training, was earlier holding his rifle in one hand while it pointed out of stair-rail spindles, at troopers, and not paying attention.
Shaw also touched on the suicide argument.
“Suicide’s got nothing to do with this case,” said Shaw. “It’s a conveniant argument for them.”
He stated that if Guelich really wanted to commit suicide, he had the oppoturnity to do so.
“He (Guelich) wants left alone,” said Shaw.
Shaw also touched on the incident involving Guelich running the state police vehicles off the road. He again argued that Guelich wanted left alone.
“He had it in his mind to run them off the road.”
He also indicated that was not likely that Guelich pulled over to sleep it off in a nearby picnic ground. Shaw stated that due to all the activity, and Guelich’s state of mind and stress, it was unlikely that he could sleep. Shaw stated that it was likely he drove to the camp in Clinton County that night.
“No argument justifies this type of behavior,” said Shaw.
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