Klamath Falls, Ore. – A Klamath County man pleads ‘no contest’ to shooting and killing a Sprague River man, and to shooting at police who responded.
36 year old Derrick Forste died after being shot 9 times in April of 2013 in Sprague River.
28 year old Teel Blue Gentry told police he shot Forste after Forste stabbed two of his friends.
“He did come to a fight with a gun.” Notes Klamath County District Attorney Rob Patridge of Gentry’s actions. “And he killed somebody with that gun.”
Gentry also fired at responding Sheriff’s deputies.
“As I’m coming up here, I hear on the radio that they are taking fire.” Stated Klamath County Sheriff Frank Skrah the day following the shooting. “And that they have been fired upon, and one penetrated the window of the car.”
A veteran of the war in Iraq, Gentry vowed to not be taken alive…and SWAT teams from across the state were called in.
Gentry eventually surrendered.
“The post traumatic stress disorder from his service in the United States military was certainly a complicating factor.” Stated D.A. Patridge.
Gentry pleaded ‘no contest’ to charges of criminally negligent homicide, attempted manslaughter, and attempted assault as part of a negotiated plea.
Gentry’s lawyers requested a two week release before Gentry heads to prison.
The victim’s mother Debbie Palmer strongly objected…
“I don’t this this would bode well…at all.”
Judge Rodger Isaacson decided to allow Gentry to have a 12 hour supervised release prior to sentencing on the 20th.
It’s expected that Gentry will be sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Gentry’s trial was scheduled to begin next month.
District Attorney Patridge noted that three witnesses scheduled to testify were in a car crash in which two were killed, and one suffered traumatic brain injury.
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