LaPlante gets 25-50 years

Robert J. LaPlante sobbed as he addressed Second District Judge Mark Monson on Tuesday in a desperate attempt to avoid a lengthy prison term for first-degree attempted murder.

It didn’t work.

LaPlante, of Clarkston, was convicted last month of slashing, stabbing and ultimately smashing Loyal Otis Dickson Jr. with a 30-pound Hi-Lift jack. Monson described it as a vicious and brutal attack and sentenced LaPlante to 25 to 50 years in prison.

“It has to be the most violent offense I have seen where the victim survived,” said Monson.

According to testimony, LaPlante and Timothy W. Allen confronted Dickson in North Lewiston last July over a dispute about money and a damaged fence. They roughed him up to the point of unconsciousness. That is when LaPlante bludgeoned him with the jack. The two wrapped Dickson in a carpet and left him for dead.

Monson said it was abundantly clear LaPlante intended to kill Dickson, who survived but was left with a traumatic brain injury and is unable to remember the crime or care for himself.

“I don’t know how he survived this attack,” Monson said. “But what I do know is that the impact on Otis is permanent and will last for the rest of his life. I’m presented with information in the presentence report that Otis’ injuries have left him with a survival rate of five years. I hope and pray that is wrong.”

LaPlante maintained his innocence in a teary, sometimes choking statement in which he said he was not present when Dickson was attacked and alleged someone else was responsible.

“I’m sorry to the family for this ever happening,” he said, noting he has known and been friends with Dickson for 50 years. “I can’t believe they think I did this. I would never do this to anyone for anything, for any reason.”

Prosecutor April Smith said even though he survived, Dickson will never be able to care for himself or have a meaningful relationship with his children or grandchildren — a circumstance she described as a life sentence. She asked Monson to send LaPlante to prison for the rest of his life.

She cited his lengthy criminal history that started at the age of 13 and at age 58 now includes more than 65 arrests and 20 convictions with eight felonies and three assaults.

She called him a callous and violent man.

“He is a menace,” she said. “He is a career criminal. He cannot be rehabilitated. He has no redeeming qualities, the community needs to be protected from him.”

Public defender Brennan Wright argued that it is unclear if it was LaPlante who smashed Dickson with the jack and said LaPlante has positively touched the lives of many, including several supporters who attended the sentencing. He acknowledged his client’s long criminal history but said “it’s fair to say these charges he has had in the past are not in the same category.”

He asked Monson to impose a sentence of no more than 15 years and to take LaPlante’s age into account.

Prior to the sentencing, Monson dismissed LaPlante’s motion for a mistrial, saying it was not timely, and another motion for a new trial.

LaPlante and his attorney contend new witnesses and evidence may be available but they were not ready to present either. Monson said if such evidence materializes, LaPlante can refile his motion. In his statement to the court LaPlante said he plans to appeal the conviction.

Barker may be contacted at ebarker@lmtribune.com or at (208) 848-2273.