EVERETT — A Mountlake Terrace man planned to be reunited with his family Tuesday night after spending more than a year in jail while awaiting trial for an alleged gun battle with police outside an Edmonds motel.
Gregory A. Nelson, 45, went on trial twice after being charged with first-degree assault with a deadly weapon.
Nelson was accused of firing at an Edmonds police officer in the parking lot of the Traveler’s Inn on Highway 99. Police reported finding four guns and a chest of ammunition in Nelson’s car after the Oct. 25, 2007, incident. He also wore a bulletproof vest that night.
Nelson faced more than a decade behind bars.
The first jury in June failed to reach a verdict in the case. Nelson was tried for a second time in November.
Again a jury couldn’t reach a unanimous decision.
Attorneys reached an agreement in the case and Nelson pleaded guilty Tuesday to second-degree assault.
Snohomish County Superior Court Judge James Allendoerfer sentenced Nelson to nine months in jail with credit for the time he already served. Nelson was expected to be released from jail Tuesday afternoon.
He will be on probation for six months. Allendoerfer also ordered that state Department of Corrections inspect Nelson’s Mountlake Terrace home and remove any guns or ammunition before he is allowed to live there.
Nelson’s wife told the judge Tuesday she had tried her best to remove everything from her husband’s extensive gun collection.
“My kids and I just want to get him home,” she said.
Nelson agreed to stay with his aunt until the inspection was completed.
Allendoerfer encouraged Nelson to move forward with his life without bitterness and be a good father to his two children.
Reporter Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463 or hefley@heraldnet.com.
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