First Judicial District Court Judge Russell Klein last week sentenced Brent Metz to four years of probation, 90 days work release, and 120 hours of public service. Additionally, under Colorado law, Mr. Metz cannot own or possess firearms.
At trial in June, a Jefferson County jury found Metz guilty of Illegal Discharge of a Firearm (Reckless) and Third Degree Assault – (Negligent). He was acquitted of Second Degree Assault and two counts of Menacing. The convictions came 22 months after he shot a teenager in the face as the youth looked for a spot in Conifer to take Homecoming photos. Prosecutors argued that Metz “came in hot” to the scene, accidentally shooting the teen as he leapt from his truck and unholstered his gun.
At sentencing, Deputy District Attorney Chris Johnson argued for a prison sentence, stating “There’s an extraordinary responsibility of gun ownership. And what did he [Mr. Metz] do with that responsibility? He brought a gun with a bullet in the chamber to a situation that did not call for it. Period.”
Allison Howard, the mother of the victim who was shot, told the Court, “Our families are kind, forgiving people, especially when someone shows genuine remorse, but Mr. Metz has never apologized, never taken responsibility, and never shown a moment of reflection for what he did,” she said.
Howard also told the Court, “As families who support responsible gun ownership, we believe in the rights that come with that responsibility; but people like Mr. Metz—reckless, careless, and unwilling to admit fault—are the reason responsible gun owners face scrutiny.”
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