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TOP JOBS

By CASEY KNAUPP
Staff Writer

A 46-year-old Tyler man with 31 prior convictions was sentenced Tuesday to 15 years in prison for attempting to elude sheriff’s deputies and failing to appear in court.

William Dale Redwine was convicted of evading arrest on June 11 by a Smith County jury and was sentenced to 10 years in prison by 7th District Judge Kerry Russell. The state jail felony was enhanced to a third-degree felony because of prior convictions.

The defendant pleaded guilty to bail jumping/failure to appear, also a third-degree felony that carried a punishment range of two to 10 years in prison. The judge sentenced Redwine to five years in prison for that charge and granted the state’s motion to stack the sentences.

Russell noted the defendant’s lengthy criminal history, which dates back 30 years and includes 39 arrests and 31 convictions.

Most of the convictions are misdemeanors, including many driving with suspended license charges, as well as possessions of controlled substances, evading arrest on foot, criminal mischief, unlawful carrying of a weapon, failure to identify/fugitive from justice, assault/family violence and burglary of a vehicle. His two prior felonies are unauthorized use of a motor vehicle and possessing cocaine.

Assistant Smith County District Attorney Greg Cole asked the judge to sentence Redwine to 10 years in prison for each charge because of his “extensive criminal history” and his continued display of not accepting responsibility.

Defense attorney Nancy Rumar said most of her client’s convictions were misdemeanors and were not violent. She pointed out his good work history as a mechanic, working for several shops and owning his own business for two years. She said there were no accidents or injuries in the evading arrest offense and asked the judge to have mercy on Redwine.

She said he accepted responsibility for the bail jumping and he didn’t leave town; he simply fell asleep and missed his court hearing. She asked the judge for a sentence at the low end of the punishment range and asked the judge to let him serve the sentences at the same time.

The judge said Redwine’s criminal history didn’t support Ms. Rumar’s argument that he functioned well in society. He said the defendant was barely out of jail when he committed the felony evading arrest and was out of jail on bond when he committed another driving with an invalid license offense and failing to appear in court. Russell said records show Redwine owes $48,000 in child support.

Redwine’s nephew testified during the hearing that his uncle always had a great work ethic as a mechanic. He said he had never seen him violent or use drugs, although he had been told he had used drugs. He believed that with family support, Redwine could change his behavior.

When asked by the prosecutor if he was aware of Redwine’s 31 convictions, he said that it surprised him and that it was “overwhelming.”

During his evading trial, two sheriff deputies testified about the April 14, 2007 incident.

At about 9 p.m., deputies Chris Hudson and John Shoemaker were driving on County Road 26 when they came close to hitting a gold Chevrolet pickup traveling toward them in the middle of the road. After swerving to miss it, the deputies turned around to stop the vehicle for the traffic violation. However, it sped away, Hudson said.

While trying to catch the pickup, the deputies saw it turn onto a dirt drive. They found it parked in a wooded area and heard someone running through the woods and ordered the person to stop. Shoemaker went to the end of the road to direct the backup deputies while Hudson stayed by the pickup, he said.

Hudson hid behind the vehicle until Redwine returned to the truck with a knife in his hand. After telling him to get on the ground, Hudson handcuffed him, he said.

Redwine gave a statement that night, admitting he was driving and his passenger had also fled into the woods. He stated he came into contact with Smith County patrol and he ran to avoid contact with the deputies because he had a suspended license, Hudson said.

Assistant District Attorney Richard Vance prosecuted the case.

Redwine has a pending driving while license invalid (DWLI) charge for a Feb. 26 offense.