Man gets 21st DWLS conviction

PALMER -- Roger Isgrigg found himself in a familiar position last week -- facing a judge on yet another charge of driving with his license suspended.

He's had 20 such convictions from 1975 through 2002, Assistant District Attorney Bob Collins told District Court Judge Ethan Windahl on Monday during Isgrigg's arraignment.

He also was charged Monday with misconduct involving a weapon in the fourth degree.

Collins said Isgrigg had a blackpowder pistol concealed in his vehicle when he was arrested. He offered to drop that charge if the weapon was turned over to the state.

The assistant DA also said Isgrigg has 10 convictions of driving while intoxicated between 1973 and 2000, plus other convictions for first-degree burglary and theft.

"He continues to drink, drive and carry a gun," Collins said.

The court session was held merely to file formal charges against Isgrigg, but the defendant said he was ready to plead no contest and begin serving time. The judge asked if he wanted a court-appointed attorney, but Isgrigg declined.

"Do you understand what an attorney could do for you?" Windahl asked.

"Not much in this case," Isgrigg replied. "There isn't much I can say."

"Obviously you are not going to stop driving whether you have a license or not," Windahl said. "What kind of sentence do you think I should give you?"

"I really don't know, your honor," Isgrigg said.

Windahl decided on 365 days of jail time with 90 days suspended. He also revoked Isgrigg's license for one year -- the maximum possible.

"It doesn't really change anything since you are already revoked until 2039," the judge said.

He also set a $10,000 fine and suspended the entire amount, saying, "I don't think we're going to get any money out of you."

Isgrigg, who had been living in a cabin in the Caswell Lakes area, said he hadn't worked lately.

Windahl said he had little faith the punishment would change Isgrigg's behavior. Collins shrugged when asked during an interview whether Isgrigg's case was rare.

"Unfortunately, this is not an uncommon occurrence in the Valley," Collins said.