John Piper, the man found guilty of resisting law enforcement and driving while suspended in a one-day trial in May, was sentenced Thursday in Starke Circuit Court.
During the May 12 trial, Knox City Police Officer Patrick McKee testified that he attempted to pull over a green Mustang with a nonfunctioning headlight near downtown Knox. He testified that he also recognized the driver, John Piper, and knew he had a suspended driver’s license. He explained that Piper did not stop for a traffic stop and led police on a short police chase down Lake Street, to 500 East and then to 400 North. Starke County Sheriff’s Department Deputy Daniel Byrd testified that he deployed stop sticks at U.S. 35 and 400 North. and Piper ran over the stop sticks and the vehicle’s tires deflated. The vehicle finally came to a stop on U.S. 35 at 500 North.
Piper would not get out of the car when ordered to do so by police, according to testimony. When he did get out of the car, he did not follow commands to surrender and he was tazed by Deputy Byrd and Starke County Sheriff’s Deputy Jack Hudgens. He was eventually taken into custody.
A jury found him guilty on charges of resisting law enforcement, a Level 6 Felony, and driving while suspended, a Class A Misdemeanor. He was found not guilty of unlawful possession of a syringe, a Level 6 Felony.
Starke Circuit Court Judge Kim Hall said during Piper’s sentencing hearing Thursday afternoon that a review of the pre-sentencing report showed an extensive criminal history which is an aggravating factor, along with violations of several pre-trial sentence modifications. He stated that he did not find any mitigating factors, or factors in his favor, to consider during sentencing.
Piper was allowed to make a statement during the hearing and he simply asked that a fair sentence be applied in his case.
Judge Hall sentenced John Piper to 30 months on the resisting law enforcement charge and 12 months on the charge of driving while suspended. The counts will be served consecutively for a total of 42 months in the Starke County Justice Center. He was given 289 actual days of time already served.
Piper indicated to Judge Hall that he will appeal his sentence. Judge Hall will appoint Piper an appellate judge to assist him with his appeal.
