MONROE - Joshua J. Powers was sentenced Thursday to three years initial confinement in Dodge Correc-tional Institution and eight years of probation after release, for stabbing a man five times with a steak knife.
Powers, 30, Juda, stabbed the man at Powers' residence after a night of drinking on Oct. 5 in Monroe. He was found guilty due to a guilty plea entered on May 22, of one count aggravated battery with the use of a dangerous weapon and one count of second-degree reckless endangerment with the use of a dangerous weapon. Court records indicate Powers became enraged and threw a jar of salsa at the victim and then stabbed him five times. The man attempted to walk home, leaving a trail of blood, but was later transported to Monroe Clinic Hospital for his non-life-threatening injuries.
Powers appeared somber in Green County Circuit Court with his head bowed while the attorneys made their closing statements. He later read aloud a typed letter addressed to the victim who was not present in court. In the letter Powers expressed regret and apologized to the victim, the court and the police, and said "guilt is not a strong enough word for this feeling."
"It will be hard to make amends to you beyond restitution," he said addressing the victim. "I pray to your family every day."
Powers maintained his composure throughout Thursday's proceedings but wiped away tears when he mentioned having to leave his children due to a jail sentence. Powers has been caring for his biological son and non-biological daughter since the incident. He said the mother of the children left in May and has not made contact with them. He said he has maintained complete sobriety since the incident and has been seeking help for substance abuse through Alcoholics Anonymous and county substance abuse agencies.
Powers' attorney Daniel Olsen cited the pre-sentencing investigation report that delved into Powers' temperament and said he had a rough childhood. Olsen said Powers' father had consumed alcohol with him and then spent some time in jail when Powers was about 12 years old.
"He had regularly used drugs and alcohol from 12 years old on; though this does not excuse his behavior, this was the socialization of his young life," Olsen said.
Court records show Powers also pointed a gun out of a bathroom window at a woman the night of the incident. The knife used in the stabbing was later found in the upper tank of a toilet. The two children were at the home during the incident and were later picked up by their grandmother. Powers told police he had six to 10 beers and a shot of vodka that night. A breathalyzer test indicated his blood alcohol concentration was at .143 percent.
As Judge James Beer summarized his observations of Powers' demeanor and character before passing down a sentence, he said Powers appeared "genuinely remorseful." But Judge Beer also said there was a "moral need for a punishment," in this case. Powers stood and nodded in agreement while Beer told him why he would be serving jail time. Beer said despite Powers' obvious care for his children and repentance for the crime, the act was still a violent one.
"But, for a few inches, you would be facing a life sentence for attempted homicide," he said.
Powers will receive a six-day credit to his sentence for time served in the county jail following the incident. He must also pay back restitution to the victim and the Crime Victim Witness Fund for a total of $2,112.49. He will likely not be eligible for the challenge incarceration program but could engage in substance abuse programs offered at the state penitentiary.
Powers, 30, Juda, stabbed the man at Powers' residence after a night of drinking on Oct. 5 in Monroe. He was found guilty due to a guilty plea entered on May 22, of one count aggravated battery with the use of a dangerous weapon and one count of second-degree reckless endangerment with the use of a dangerous weapon. Court records indicate Powers became enraged and threw a jar of salsa at the victim and then stabbed him five times. The man attempted to walk home, leaving a trail of blood, but was later transported to Monroe Clinic Hospital for his non-life-threatening injuries.
Powers appeared somber in Green County Circuit Court with his head bowed while the attorneys made their closing statements. He later read aloud a typed letter addressed to the victim who was not present in court. In the letter Powers expressed regret and apologized to the victim, the court and the police, and said "guilt is not a strong enough word for this feeling."
"It will be hard to make amends to you beyond restitution," he said addressing the victim. "I pray to your family every day."
Powers maintained his composure throughout Thursday's proceedings but wiped away tears when he mentioned having to leave his children due to a jail sentence. Powers has been caring for his biological son and non-biological daughter since the incident. He said the mother of the children left in May and has not made contact with them. He said he has maintained complete sobriety since the incident and has been seeking help for substance abuse through Alcoholics Anonymous and county substance abuse agencies.
Powers' attorney Daniel Olsen cited the pre-sentencing investigation report that delved into Powers' temperament and said he had a rough childhood. Olsen said Powers' father had consumed alcohol with him and then spent some time in jail when Powers was about 12 years old.
"He had regularly used drugs and alcohol from 12 years old on; though this does not excuse his behavior, this was the socialization of his young life," Olsen said.
Court records show Powers also pointed a gun out of a bathroom window at a woman the night of the incident. The knife used in the stabbing was later found in the upper tank of a toilet. The two children were at the home during the incident and were later picked up by their grandmother. Powers told police he had six to 10 beers and a shot of vodka that night. A breathalyzer test indicated his blood alcohol concentration was at .143 percent.
As Judge James Beer summarized his observations of Powers' demeanor and character before passing down a sentence, he said Powers appeared "genuinely remorseful." But Judge Beer also said there was a "moral need for a punishment," in this case. Powers stood and nodded in agreement while Beer told him why he would be serving jail time. Beer said despite Powers' obvious care for his children and repentance for the crime, the act was still a violent one.
"But, for a few inches, you would be facing a life sentence for attempted homicide," he said.
Powers will receive a six-day credit to his sentence for time served in the county jail following the incident. He must also pay back restitution to the victim and the Crime Victim Witness Fund for a total of $2,112.49. He will likely not be eligible for the challenge incarceration program but could engage in substance abuse programs offered at the state penitentiary.