An ex-convict with a long history of drug and alcohol abuse who killed two people while zooming down Main Street in a stolen truck was sentenced to serve up to 45 years in prison on Friday.
Donald Lee Snyder, 36, wept as he apologized for causing the deaths of Douglas Butcher, 36, whose car Snyder smashed into, and Knut Odland, 49, who Snyder subsequently ran into while Odland was walking on a sidewalk.
The incident occurred around 7:30 p.m. on April 13, 2007, when many other cars and pedestrians were in the area.
"Because of my inability to consider the consequences of my actions, two lives were lost," Snyder said, sobbing.
He said he prays every day for forgiveness from the victims' families, adding, "Please know there was no malice" in his actions. "I share your loss, grief, suffering and pain, though they are not the same."
Snyder's lawyer, Patrick Corum, called him a "poster child" for why people should not engage in drug use and urged the court to order "very intensive treatment" for Snyder's out-of-control substance abuse problems. Corum said Snyder and his family believed the best treatment option would be in a community-based center.
Snyder's brother, Michael, said the family grew up with a "terrible lifestyle," including a father who shot off guns in the house without a second thought. Michael Snyder said his brother had asked judges for drug rehabilitation in the past and had not gotten the help he desperately needs.
However, members of Butcher's weeping family were, by turns, grief-stricken and outraged that Snyder would ask for mercy given the circumstances of these crimes.
Snyder may have had a harsh and deprived childhood, they said, but that was no excuse for hiding from federal parole officers, stealing a truck, buying a sawed-off shotgun and bullets, getting high on liquor and meth and then racing away from a police officer, only to crash into two innocent people.
"We've heard that a 10-second decision ended my brother's life, but that wasn't true," said Greg Butcher, brother of Douglas Butcher. "It was hundreds of decisions that led up to that moment."
Greg Butcher said Snyder had stood before judges before and had not changed his life. "It's appalling to me to have him stand up here and cry and beg for the court's forgiveness."
Steve Butcher, Douglas' father, described several kind acts his late son had done for others, including growing his hair long despite being teased by others, because he wanted to give it to an organization that makes wigs for cancer patients.
"It's hard to live without him," the elder Butcher said. "We want justice."
Darcy Butcher, Douglas' sister, said she was furious that Snyder, his family and attorney would attempt to portray Snyder as a victim. Her brother was murdered, she said, and Snyder's chemically addled mental state and gun possession showed "he was waiting to kill someone."
Darcy Butcher said many people have drug and alcohol problems, but they seek help themselves rather than wait for a judge to order it. "We are lucky he didn't get out of (that vehicle) and shoot every police officer."
Third District Judge Judith Atherton said Snyder's childhood abuse should never have happened, but the judge also said Snyder had many opportunity to make different choices as an adult.
She sentenced him to one-to-15 years in prison for two counts of automobile homicide and one count of possessing a dangerous weapon, all second-degree felonies. All three prison terms are to run consecutively.
Atherton also said she would recommend that the Board of Pardons not release Snyder until he served the maximum prison time.
E-mail: lindat@desnews.com