KINGMAN – A defense attorney who requested probation instead saw his Kingman client receive a near double-decade prison term during a June 28 sentencing hearing. The 17.5-year prison term imposed by Judge Doug Camacho was the maximum under terms of a plea agreement convicting 67-year-old Steven Willard of two counts of aggravated assault.
Randall Craig told the Court that Willard wanted to end his suffering when he called 911 requesting emergency medical assistance at his Kingman home last fall. Craig said Willard is wheelchair-bound, disabled, and plagued by a litany of medical and mental health maladies.
The Mohave County Sheriff’s Office and prosecutors have said that Willard clutched his AR-15-style rifle as two Northern Arizona Fire District personnel entered his home at 3725 E. John L. Avenue last Oct. Rounds fired by the prohibited weapons possessor narrowly missed the first responders as they retreated through Willard’s front door.
An hour-long standoff ensued before Willard surrendered, ending what Craig said was a “suicide by cop” attempt.
“He made the decision that he wanted to die,” Craig said. “He did not mean to harm anyone but himself.”
“I apologize to the victims that day,” Willard told Judge Camacho. “I feel great remorse. I feel bad about it every day.”
Deputy Mohave County Attorney James Schoppmann said the victims were traumatized by the ordeal.
“We’re talking about firefighters. We’re talking about people who come to help people,” Schoppmann said.
The victims and their wives also indicated how Willard’s dangerous actions changed their lives. Judge Camacho agreed with them and Schoppmann that substantial prison time is appropriate rather than probation for Willard.
Dave Hawkins
