Published: July 02, 2008 12:40 pm      

9th offense puts driver behind bars

Jasper man says he has struggled with alcohol all his life

A man facing trial for his ninth drunk driving offense withdrew pleaded guilty Tuesday and was sentenced to four years in prison.

The terms of the plea agreement for Jeffrey Antrim, 52, were left partially open, leaving Cass Superior Court II Judge Rick Maughmer to decide whether Antrim would spend the agreed-upon four-year sentence in jail or in-home detention.

Antrim, who had previously pleaded not guilty, withdrew that decision in pleading guilty to driving under a permanently suspended driver’s license, a class C felony carrying a possible sentence between two and eight years.

The Jasper County man was arrested in November after drinking in several places and driving for more than an hour around Indiana. Antrim, who registered at 0.18 on a blood alcohol concentration test, testified that he had no idea how he ended up in Cass County.

It was the ninth time he’d been caught by police driving while intoxicated. His license had been suspended for life after the fifth conviction, and he’d already gone to jail twice for the same charge he faced Tuesday.

In the hearing, attorney Lisa Traylor Wolf argued that Antrim was a changed man, free from the alcoholism that had hampered him all his life.

Antrim said he had been drinking since before he was 12 years old, and alcohol caused a discharge from the military. But in the seven years since his last release from prison, he had been completely sober until the November incident, he said.

“When I was locked up, I dedicated my life to the Lord,” Antrim testified. “The development over the last eight to 10 years and what I’ve done in my life is worth some value.”

Antrim’s pastor testified to the degree of Antrim’s turnaround.

Asked if he would help to keep Antrim sober if he were sentenced to in-home detention, Medaryville Assembly of God pastor Thomas Dewlan said, “I know my boss will, and that’s the Lord.”

Antrim’s wife also described Antrim’s change, as well as five neighbors and church members from a small, rural community concerned about losing one of its own. Almost all of the witnesses, many of whom had not planned on testifying until they were in front of the judge, had trouble controlling their emotions.

“He’s got a heart of gold,” said neighbor Donna Westphal. “I think we need to give him a chance.”

But deputy prosecutor Randy Head said Antrim had already gotten enough chances.

“The bottom line is someone with eight prior operating while intoxicated convictions,” he said. “The ninth time, you have to think that the time for breaks is over.”

Head and Maughmer both said they were impressed with the level of support Antrim had in the community, but the judge said that was not a reason to let Antrim off easily.

“I can’t give you another chance and do my job with a straight face,” said Maughmer, vocalizing his feelings that the plea deal did not go far enough. “You should be going to prison for eight years. Period.”

Instead, limited by the recommendations of the agreement, Maughmer ordered four years for Antrim, who was taken into custody immediately after the hearing.

Antrim will also be ordered to serve four years’ probation after his jail time. His driver’s license will remain suspended for life.

Brian Rosenthal can be reached at (574) 732-5148, or via e-mail at Brian.Rosenthal@pharostribune.com