The Associated Press
EVANSVILLE, Ind. (AP) - A man has been sentenced to 50 years in prison for shooting at sheriff’s deputies during a standoff last year.
Raymond Kissel, 46, did not testify Tuesday during his sentencing in Vanderburgh Circuit Court. He was convicted last month on three counts of attempted murder.
Kissel’s attorney, Glenn Grampp contended during the trial that Kissel suffered from delusions and was not responsible for his actions at the time of the shooting.
But Deputy Prosecutor Robert Zoss argued that Kissel knew what he was doing when he fired the shots.
Judge Carl Heldt said that Kissel has some mental problems, made worse by chronic alcoholism, but noted the jury had rejected the insanity defense or a verdict of guilty but mentally ill.
Vanderburgh County sheriff’s deputies in February 2003 were called to Kissel’s property in a rural area about 10 miles northwest of Evansville by neighbors who heard gunshots. Kissel was living in a “lean-to” structure made of tarps, refuse materials and trees.
Kissel pointed a gun at the first officer to arrive, police said. The officer fired a shot at Kissel and retreated to his squad car. Kissel then shot at the squad car, hitting it as the officer drove away, police said.
Police surrounded the property, and after almost four hours, Kissel fired three shots toward police, hitting another squad car.
A deputy fired two rifle rounds at Kissel, wounding him.