Published: July 30, 2008 02:01 am            

COURTS: Assault plea nets prison time for Hartland man

A Hartland man who shot another man in the ankle during an argument in January will serve time in prison.

Karl F. Heigl, 38, currently residing at the Niagara County Jail, was sentenced Tuesday in Niagara County Court to one to three years in prison.

Heigl pleaded guilty last month to second-degree attempted assault, admitting to shooting 24-year-old John W. Walsh outside 3100 Bishop Road, where both men were living, on Jan. 29.

The men were arguing when Heigl reportedly loaded a shotgun with three deer slugs and shot one in the air and once at a wooden donkey that was about 3 feet away from where Walsh was standing.

A third shot struck Walsh in the ankle.

Heigl fled the scene on foot. He was later found at his mother’s house in Newfane, after a search involving the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department, the Lockport Police Department and the New York State Police.

Walsh was transported to Erie County Medical Center by Mercy Flight for treatment.

Public defender Michael Benedict said Heigl was intoxicated and did not realize he’d actually shot Walsh.

Heigl told deputies Walsh had fallen to the ground and said, “You shot me!” but then got up and walked away.

“I think it’s fair to say Mr. Heigl did not believe he had actually shot Mr. Walsh,” Benedict said, adding when Heigl realized Walsh had been hit, he was “remorseful.”

The intoxication played a large part in the incident, Benedict said. Heigl is currently serving time on a previous conviction for driving while intoxicated in the City of Lockport.

“I believe the root of the problem in this matter is Mr. Heigl’s lack of sobriety at the time,” Benedict said. “I believe Mr. Heigl is still struggling with his problems. The actions he took that day were not intentional, they were born out of a drunken stupor, as well as a fight between Mr. Walsh and Mr. Heigl.”

Heigl told Judge Matthew Murphy that he was “totally sorry” for his actions.

“I wish I wouldn’t have handled it the way I did,” Heigl said. “It was never my intention.”

Benedict asked Murphy to sentence Heigl to one year in jail, but Murphy opted for prison time, instead.

Contact reporter April Amadon at 439-9222, ext. 6251.

        

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