CASSOPOLIS - Running naked and drunk through an emergency room and resisting police proved an unwise move for a Dowagiac teen.
Fortunately for him, he has a chance to keep a felony conviction off his record.
Nathaniel Robert Warner, 19, of Colby Street in Dowagiac pleaded guilty to resisting and obstructing police under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act and possession/consumption of alcohol by a minor and was sentenced Friday in Cass Circuit Court.
The incident occurred May 28 when police were called to Lee-Borgess Hospital in Dowagiac on a report of a naked male intoxicated and out of control.
Warner in court Friday called it "the biggest mistake of my life," adding "I'll never make that mistake again."
He must serve one year's probation and pay fines and costs of $1,368. If he completes the probation successfully, the felony charge of resisting and obstructing police will be taken off his record. The possession/consumption of alcohol by a minor conviction will stand.
Assistant Prosecutor Kirk Metzger disagreed with giving Warner the chance through the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act.
"He threatened violence against officers and nurses," he said. "He endangered two officers and the hospital personnel. He was extremely intoxicated, he used profanity, was running around naked and physically resisting police."
"You urinated on the floor and had to be restrained," Judge Michael Dodge told Warner. "You hollered at police 'bring it on' and they had to Tase you to bring you to your senses. The probation department recommended HYTA. We understand that young people can make mistakes and do stupid things. This should be a wake-up call to you about the use of alcohol."
In another case, a Dowagiac man who choked his girlfriend after an argument over a television show received probation and jail.
Kyle Jeffery Hartman, 23, of Peavine Street pleaded guilty to assault with intent to do great bodily harm less than murder and was sentenced to two years probation, 120 days in jail and $1,788 in fines and costs. He has credit for 65 days already served. He must complete a domestic violence treatment program.
The incident occurred April 22 at a home on Orchard Street in Dowagiac. Hartman started to choke the woman then head-butted her, injuring her in the eye.
Hartman apologized Friday for his actions. "I lost my temper, I feel real guilty about it," he said.
"You got out of control, and you have to pay the price," Dodge told him. "You got into an argument with the mother of your two children, you started choking her and head-butted her. It's also disturbing that this was not the first time you were physical with her.
"It looks to me that alcohol was the trigger for your reaction. That's not an excuse. You need to exercise more control, and alcohol puts yourself not in control. You only have one prior misdemeanor but this does represent a pretty serious crime."
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