By Linda Thomson
Deseret Morning News
FARMINGTON, Utah — A veteran Centerville police sergeant, who pleaded guilty to two felonies after beating his wife and 5-year-old stepdaughter, was sentenced Monday to a year in jail.
He could, however, be released in four months if the proper mental health treatment program becomes available.
The victim’s father was angry at the light sentence the former officer received.
John Spencer, 44, who resigned from a 16-year career with the Centerville Police Department and has lost his credentials to be a police officer, previously pleaded guilty to child abuse and aggravated assault, both third-degree felonies.
His lawyer, Chad Noakes, said Spencer has “lost everything,” recognizes what he did was wrong and is “severely remorseful” and dedicated to changing himself. Noakes said Spencer, who had an inpatient evaluation at the Utah State Prison’s diagnostic unit, has been diagnosed with depression and bipolar disorder.
Noakes also said the diagnostic report suggested this violence was a single, isolated incident and asked that Spencer receive probation so he can continue working two jobs to pay child support.
Second District Judge Jon Memmott said it appeared that this was not an isolated incident and stated that his primary concern was getting Spencer into treatment. If Spencer was sent to prison, it was likely that he would be out in about a year having had no therapy, the judge said, adding that he was less interested in the job situation but considered treatment “critical.”
Memmott sentenced Spencer to two terms of zero-to-five years in prison, but he suspended the prison time, imposed a year in jail with credit for 67 days served and ordered treatment for mental health problems, as well as counseling for anger management and domestic violence. Spencer’s case and any payment for restitution will be reviewed Oct. 6. If an appropriate treatment program is available then, the judge said he would consider releasing Spencer on probation.
Armando L. Gutierrez Sr., who is Spencer’s father-in-law, was outraged at what he considered a slap on the hand for Spencer and “a slap in our faces” for the two victims and their families.
Copyright 2008 Deseret Morning News