Caledonia Argus

Danielson sentenced for 2002 assault

Posted: 5/4/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

A Brownsville man was sentenced on April 21 for crimes related to a shooting incident on June 8, 2002.

Ronald Danielson, who lives at 901 Main Street in Brownsville, pled guilty on February 10 of this year to two counts of assault in the second degree, both felonies.

Judge Robert Benson departed from sentencing guidelines, which call for 36-month prison sentences for each of the felonies, and sentenced Danielson to one year of in-home detention, seven years of supervised probation, and abstinence from alcohol. Danielson must also write a letter of apology to the police departments involved and to the community.

Benson said in the sentencing hearing at the Houston County Courthouse, ì . . . I do no longer believe that Mr. Danielson poses any threat to society or any danger to society.î

According to the criminal complaint, law enforcement officers were called to the Danielson residence after he threatened his wife, Elizabeth, with a shotgun. She had filed divorce papers the day before.

When officers arrived, he came out of his house with a rifle and pointed it at the officers. He would not drop it when told to do so.

Houston County Sheriff Lieutenant Ken Frank shot him in the left arm with a .223 caliber rifle. During the next 24 hours, Danielson suffered a stroke, which has left him confined to a wheelchair and unable to do his personal cares. He also had to have his left arm amputated.

He is paralyzed on his left side and has cognitive difficulties. He needs full-time care of his wife, who acts as his attendant.

Danielson originally pled innocent to multiple counts of assault and making terroristic threats. He was scheduled to go to trial on February 10, 2004, but that was postponed, and he pled guilty to two counts of assault on February 11, 2004.

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