MOHAVE VALLEY — A Mohave Valley man wounded by law enforcement gunfire early this year faces extensive time in the Arizona Department of Corrections following conviction at trial. The Mohave County Superior Court jury deliberated less than hour on Wednesday, November 3 before returning guilty verdicts on both counts in the case against Richard Crist, 68.
Crist was convicted of two aggravated assault charges, one count each for case victims Sergeant Mike Goodwin and deputy Sal Gonzalez of the Mohave County Sheriff’s office. Deputy county attorney Jacob Cote said the officers responded on February 8 after Crist expressed suicidal intent and made other comments about harming others during a crisis hot line call.
Crist was outside when Goodwin and Gonzalez arrived at his property in the 8200 block South Green Valley. Cote said Gonzalez first observed Crist pointing a weapon before Goodwin believed the weapon was being pointed at him.
The weapon turned out to be a BB Gun, but Cote said the officers didn’t know that at the time and were placed in reasonable imminent fear or threat of injury or death. He told the jury that Goodwin shot Crist multiple times in the breezeway between his home and a detached garage after he ignored commands to drop the weapon.
Defense attorney Ross Carponelli said Crist never pointed or fired the BB gun at officers. He said his client intended no harm to others during an encounter he labeled a tragic misunderstanding.
Crist was flown to a Las Vegas trauma center for treatment center for treatment of his wounds.
Cote said Crist faces up to 21 years in prison when sentenced by Judge Lee Jantzen on January 5.
