Gillett man convicted in drunken driving death of passenger; sentencing set for Oct. 3
OCONTO – A Gillett man will likely serve at least five years in prison when he is sentenced for the drunken driving death of his passenger in a crash last fall.
Mark A. Martin, 54, pleaded no contest Monday to homicide by intoxicated use of a vehicle and obstructing an officer.
Christopher Matchopatow, 54, of Keshena, died after a deputy arrived at the crash, which occurred about 11 p.m. Oct. 3, about four miles west of Gillett in the town of Underhill.
Under state law, the homicide charge carries a minimum sentence of five years of confinement, unless a judge determines there is a compelling reason for a lesser term. The maximum initial sentence is 15 years and 10 years of extended supervision.
Under the plea agreement, two other charges were dismissed, and District Attorney Edward Burke may at sentencing argue for a prison term above the mandatory minimum but will not seek a specific period of confinement on the homicide charge. He will also request a consecutive maximum term of nine months incarceration on the obstructing count.
Judge Michael T. Judge scheduled sentencing for Sept. 13.
According to the criminal complaint, a pickup westbound on County U in which Matchopatow was riding failed to stop for the stop sign at County V, continued through the intersection, into the ditch, struck a tree, spun 90 degrees and came to rest.
Martin, who was treated for a minor injury, claimed a third man who left the scene had been driving. The deputy noted Martin smelled of intoxicants when he spoke, and when he was asked how much alcohol he had consumed that night, Martin replied “a lot,” the criminal complaint states.
Martin, who has been in custody since the crash, has four previous convictions for operating while intoxicated, the most recent in March 2010 in Shawano County, according to online court records.
MORE: Green Bay man dies in northern Oconto County crash
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Contact Kent Tempus at (920) 431-8226 or ktempus@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Gillett man convicted of drunken driving death of passenger
