Defense attorney claims client insane during showroom crash

The attorney for Travis Williams entered a plea of "not guilty by reason of insanity" for his client, who is accused of intentionally driving his truck into a Carson City auto showroom, narrowly missing two employees.

Defense Attorney Paul Giese told District Judge Michael Griffin on Monday that Williams, of Gardnerville, has undergone "two psychiatric reports that don't necessarily support my contention," but went on to indicate Williams was on psychiatric medications that might distort the findings.

According to court records, Williams was arrested Nov. 11 after he allegedly drove his Dodge truck up a ramp and at two employees of Michael Hohl Motors in the 3700 block of South Carson Street.

"The red Dodge truck had driven up the south showroom ramp, through the glass doors and wall and collided with a gray 2006 GMC Yukon which was on display in the showroom," Deputy Glenn Fair wrote in his report. "The Yukon was hit with enough force to push it backward into a parked, red, 2006 Cadillac XLR. There was sufficient force to push both vehicles into a white 2006 Cadillac CTS, which was then pushed into the far showroom doors damaging them."

According to Fair, when Williams was directed by officers to exit his vehicle, he came out holding a lighter and a bong.

The victims stated after telling Williams to stop doing "burnouts," in the dealership's lot, he drove up the ramp at them forcing them to dive out of the way.

He is charged with two counts of attempted murder with a deadly weapon.

Griffin continued the matter for a week to give Giese time to complete a mental evaluation.

Williams is being held at the Nevada State Prison after being charged with assaulting a jailer. He faces eight to 80 years if convicted and sentenced consecutively on both counts, which have a deadly weapon enhancement.

In other cases before Griffin on Monday:

• Jamahl Patterson, 25, was sentenced to 26 to 120 months in prison on a charge of hit-and-run involving injury. According to court records, Patterson was trying to flee a stop when he rammed into two patrol cars, giving a deputy whiplash.

• David Lee Roberts, 28, was sentenced to three years probation, with a suspended sentence of 12 to 30 months in prison, on a charge of possession of a controlled substance.

• Ted Ross Samuelson, 38, was sentenced to five years probation, with 16 to 40 months in prison suspended, on a charge of uttering a forged instrument.

• Natalie Renee Snyder, 41, was sentenced to three years probation, with a suspended sentence of one year in jail, on a charge of gross misdemeanor conspiracy to commit burglary. Snyder allegedly entered her neighbor's home and assaulted her. "I just want to apologize for being a total embarrassment," said Snyder.

• Donald Paetz, 47, was sentenced to probation on a charge of possession of a controlled substance with the intent to sell.

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.