PINEDALE (WNE) — A Big Piney man found guilty of felony aggravated assault and battery after beating another man the last night of last year’s Green River Rendezvous was sentenced Oct. 5 to 4 to 6 years in prison.
Ninth District Court Judge Kate McKay said Chett L. Whitman, 26, was led by “bravado and intoxication” to beat Daniel resident Christopher Meeks.
“I don’t believe he intended to change Mr. Meeks’ life that night,” McKay said of the assault.
Whitman delivered two blows to Meeks’ face as he lay unconscious on the ground. Meeks’ facial bones and jaw are still healing, Meeks told the judge at Thursday’s sentencing hearing.
He lost work, incurred serious medical bills, feels pain and is still recovering, Meeks said.
McKay acknowledged Meeks’ “huge emotional toll and distress” and approved Sublette County Attorney Clayton Melinkovich’s restitution request of $91,217.62.
Whitman stood and addressed the judge after a long silence. “There’s no words that I can find, say, show to heal someone that used to call me a friend and I used to call a mentor (Meeks).”
As McKay pronounced the sentence, she said she “considered probation long and hard” but did not feel it was appropriate.
“A prison sentence is the right thing here,” she said. “I’m convinced of that.”
