HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A 26-year-old Hutchinson man who entered pleas to two felony charges was granted two years community corrections on basically a 1-year sentence.
Christopher A. Vanwye entered “no contest” pleas to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of criminal discharge of a firearm. A second count of criminal discharge of a firearm, possession of stolen property and misdemeanor possession of marijuana were dismissed by the state as part of a plea agreement.
He was convicted for threatening his mother’s fiance during an altercation back on Dec. 15, 2014. He’s alleged to have put the gun to the head of Delbert East while threatening him.
Vanwye had put the gun to his own head at one point and his mother pushed the chair he was in and the gun went off, missing her son, but going through a wall, this at a home in the 800 block of West 14th. The bullet then entered a neighbors home through a window and lodged in some drywall in that home.
In court, the victim told the judge that what happened that night was out of ordinary saying there were a lot of issues at play. His mother told the court that he tried to kill himself and that he was under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
Vanwye told the judge that he is regretful for everything that happened and that he has now found God while in jail and is working on the issues he has. He said he placed himself on the mercy of the court.
Judge Tim Chambers granted a downward departure sentenced, then granted Vanwye Community Corrections. He also ordered that the gun Vanwye has be destroyed and that once released from jail, he is not be anywhere where there is a gun. He’ll also have to pay restitution to the neighbor whose home was damaged. He noted that the defendant is lucky that no one was in that room when the bullet came through the window.