Convicted nearly two decades ago, a Dolores man’s appeal to no longer register as a sex offender was rejected this week.
“I don’t do the things I used to do,” Brian Kartchner told District Court Judge Todd Plewe. “I shouldn’t be judged on my past anymore.”
At a hearing on Monday, Nov. 2, Kartchner, 43, with no legal representation, admitted that he once was a “menace to society,” but he argued that he’d changed since being convicted of second-degree attempted sexual assault in 1997. He also said he was unable to find employment as a registered sex offender.
“I’ve moved on from this,” said Kartchner, who had a sizable anarchy symbol tattooed on the back of his bald head.
The victim’s mother, standing to the side of District Attorney Will Furse, was nearly speechless as she faced her daughter’s assailant. The victim wasn’t present.
“I’m surprised to hear that Mr. Kartchner has moved on from this,” the mother testified, “because my daughter has not.”
Opposed to the petition, Furse informed the court that Kartchner had twice been accused of domestic violence and failed to register as a sex offender since the attempted sex crime in 1997, adding that he received a conviction for burglary in 2004.
“It would be an unnecessary risk to the community,” Furse said to lift the sex offender registry requirement.
Plewe ultimately sided with the prosecution, telling Kartchner that his criminal activity since the 1997 crime “spoke volumes” about his lack of rehabilitation.
“We’re all judged on our past,” Plewe said, rejecting the defense petition.
tbaker@the-journal.com