Klamath Falls, Ore. – Ten years in prison.
That’s the time a Klamath County man will serve for shooting and killing a Sprague River man.
28 year old Teel Blue Gentry pleaded ‘no contest’ last week to shooting and killing Derrick Forste in Sprague River in April of 2013.
Gentry’s mother Annie Atchley says her son shot Forste after Forste stabbed two of his friends…
“I believe if my son Teel hadn’t shot him, Stevie and Buster would be dead because he was actively knifing them with a 7-inch hunting knife.”
Gentry also shot at police who responded to the scene – which prompted a call-out of SWAT teams from across the state.
Defense attorneys say Gentry suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from his time in the military.
“A soldier’s training kicks in.” Noted Annie Atchley. “Which it did.”
Klamath County District Attorney Rob Patridge noted after the plea hearing that Gentry’s P.T.S.D. does not make Gentry innocent.
“He did come to a fight with a gun.” Stated Patridge. “And he killed somebody with that gun.”
Gentry will be given credit for time served, which has been nearly 3 years.
Gentry will also be on probation for 36 months after his release.
Families of the victim and defendant exchanged harsh words after last week’s plea hearing.
The judge warned the families to avoid any further conflict.
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