Because of his decision to shoot Washington State Trooper Dean Atkinson in the face and hand in September of 2022 in an attempt to kill him, Brandon O’Neel will spend more than 25 years in prison.
A guilty plea to the charges of attempted first-degree murder and attempting to elude police resulted in the dismissal of charges of first-degree assault with a deadly weapon, threatening to bomb with intent to alarm and harassment with threats to kill.
Legal proceedings after crimes like O’Neel’s feel like they go on forever, and a sentence is a long-awaited resolution for the families involved and for the public.
But while the delays feel long, they aren’t usually arbitrary. The time it takes to reach this point is often indicative of the deliberateness of our justice process.
Some people may feel frustrated that O’Neel or any defendant receives a sentence that seems too long or too short.
It’s important to remember that judges are bound by standard sentencing ranges. Judge Brandon L. Johnson handed down the most severe sentence possible within the range. By no means was he lenient.
Judge Johnson said during sentencing that he believed O’Neel knew what he was doing when he committed his crimes, noting that he left a note in his apartment saying that a bomb was present, while defense attorney Julie Ann Carlson Straube cited mental health issues as a reason to keep to a shorter sentence.
Mental illness is a very real problem in our society. While it can muddy the waters and make it harder to determine culpability, we must not use it to erase responsibility.
It’s unfortunate that O’Neel chose to take actions that could have ended a life. But that choice was his alone. Fortunately, he failed, but consequences remain.
We commend those who spoke in court and admire Trooper Atkinson’s bravery in a perilous situation, driving himself to the hospital after being shot.
His dedication to the WSP is admirable as well, as he has since returned to duty. We hope he and his family can continue to recover emotionally now that sentencing is complete.
Walla Walla Union-Bulletin editorials reflect the opinion of the newspaper’s editorial board. The opinion editor can be reached at banderson@wwub.com.
