Snohomish judge sentences Everett man to maximum prison time

EVERETT — A Snohomish County Superior Court judge Monday wasn’t convinced a convicted felon who opened fire on his girlfriend last year deserved any kind of break.

“By the grace of God, you’re not here on a murder charge,” Judge Joseph Wilson said.

The defendant carried out a premeditated, egregious assault on the mother of his child, the judge said. Gary Robinson has a pattern of gaining the trust of people around him and abusing them, Wilson said. Robinson has a 1991 assault conviction for shooting his ex-girlfriend in the chest.

Wilson sentenced Robinson to 19 years in prison for the August 2009 assault. Robinson shot his girlfriend numerous times during a dispute in their Everett apartment.

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The woman was able to escape and found someone in the apartment complex to call 911. She remembers lying on the doorstep of a stranger and telling the woman she was cold, according to court papers. She was covered in blood and losing consciousness when police found her. Doctors discovered a bullet lodged in her left hand and her right forearm. She’d also been hit in the chest and mouth.

Investigators believe Robinson emptied his gun and reloaded during the assault. They found seven rounds in the magazine and six other bullets in Robinson’s pocket. Robinson was found walking outside the apartment. Deputies used an electric stun gun to subdue Robinson after he refused to follow orders, court papers said.

He told police he’d just been robbed.

Robinson, 38, pleaded guilty last month to first-degree domestic violence assault while armed with a gun.

As part of the plea agreement, the deputy prosecutor and Robinson’s defense attorney agreed to recommend a 16 1/2-year sentence. That’s nearly three years short of the highest sentence under the law.

The victim told Wilson that she has forgiven Robinson. The last year has been a roller coaster, she said. The woman said she has chosen to focus on her strengths and the positive aspects of her life.

“I’m still here for my beautiful and wonderful children, and that’s what’s most important to me,” she said.

Robinson told the judge he is remorseful for his actions. He has turned his life over to Jesus Christ and wants to become a mentor to juvenile delinquents, Robinson said.

Wilson said he hopes Robinson will turn his life around, but he still has to answer for the crime he committed.

The judge said he believes Robinson intended to kill the woman. Wilson called the attorneys’ recommended sentence and the standard range “woefully inadequate.”

Wilson gave Robinson the maximum prison term under the law to “give society another three-year break from you.”

Robinson was ordered never to have contact with the victim again.

“The rest is in your hands,” Wilson told Robinson.

Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463; hefley@heraldnet.com.

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