For The Reporter
NORRISTOWN — A Pottstown man who was combative with and allegedly spit at a Pottstown emergency medical technician trying to help him was advised by a judge to enter a 12-step substance abuse counseling program.
"Get thyself to a meeting and see what it’s like. There’s no better day to start than now," Montgomery County Judge Steven T. O’Neill told Leslie A. Price Jr.
Price, 27, whose last known address was in the 100 block of East Eighth Street, was sentenced to two years’ probation after he pleaded guilty to misdemeanor charges of simple assault and possession of heroin in connection with a November 2006 incident in the borough.
The judge indicated probation officials will monitor Price’s substance abuse counseling efforts. Price also must complete 12 hours of community service as a condition of the sentence.
"It was an unfortunate chapter in Mr. Price’s life, which he’s trying to leave in his past," defense lawyer Frank Flick said on Price’s behalf. "He’s gainfully employed and he’s very remorseful. He doesn’t remember the events of the incident due to his impairment."
Court documents indicate an investigation of Price began when borough police responded to the 600 block of Beech Street at about 2:55 p.m. Nov. 9, 2006, for a report of an unresponsive person inside a vehicle parked outside the Ricketts Center.
When police approached the white Ford Taurus, they found Price seated in the passenger seat, court documents indicate.
"Price was asleep and was grasping six blue wax packets with the words ‘Pure Hell’ written on them," Pottstown Police Officer Nikolaus Stoltzfus wrote in the arrest affidavit. "The packages contained an off-white powder. Based on my experience and training I recognized this to be how heroin is packaged."
Police alleged the contents of the packages tested positive for the presence of heroin.
Price was transported to Pottstown Memorial Medical Center by Goodwill Ambulance personnel, court documents indicate. During the trip to the hospital, Price was combative and fought with emergency medical technicians trying to help him, authorities alleged.
During a struggle, Price allegedly grabbed one EMT’s arm, leaving marks where his fingernails broke the EMT’s skin.
"I entered the ambulance and placed Price into handcuffs. As I escorted Price into the emergency room Price looked at (the EMT) and spit directly in (the EMT’s) face," Stoltzfus alleged.
Under state law, by pleading guilty to the simple assault charge, Price admitted that he attempted to cause or recklessly caused bodily injury to the EMT.
"He wants all parties involved to know he’s sorry and regrets the activity of that evening," Flick said on behalf of Price.
The Reporter: http://www.thereporteronline.com/articles/2008/11/23/news/srv0000004080123.txt
