District Court

The Tenth Judicial District Court convened Tuesday, September 1, with Judge Thomas Stockard presiding.

Aiden Andrew Verbridge, in custody, pleaded guilty to Battery that Constitutes Domestic Violence by Strangulation, a Category C felony punishable by one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

The factual basis provided by the defense was that Verbridge used force or violence against his mother by impeding her breathing.

Judge Stockard ordered a Pre-Sentence Investigation (PSI) and set sentencing for Nov. 3.

Brian Langlois Calhoun, in custody, appeared on a probation violation in a 2023 case involving an underlying charge of Attempt or Commission of an Unauthorized Act Relating to the Manufacture or Compounding of a Controlled Substance (methamphetamine), to which he pleaded guilty and was sentenced in September 2023.

Judge Stockard noted that according to the violation report, the Division of Parole and Probation did not know whether Calhoun understood what was required of him because of a severe traumatic brain injury he suffered. Stockard asked the attorneys how they thought the case should proceed.

Senior Deputy District Attorney Chelsea Sanford said Calhoun had 41 days’ credit for time served and suggested the court dishonorably discharge him from probation.

Deputy Public Defender Kenneth Tedford told the court the defense “would be totally in line with that.” He added, “It is clear that his lack of compliance isn't necessarily nefarious, it’s not necessarily willful; it is a side effect of what he has going on at this time [brain injury].”

Stockard said there was “no great solution here.” The judge and attorneys agreed that dishonorably discharging Calhoun from probation, as Sanford suggested, was the most compassionate way to resolve the case.

Robert Lillburn Nelson appeared for arraignment on a charge of Destruction of Property and a charge of Violation of a Protection Order.

Nelson is representing himself but said he hopes to find an attorney. He told the court he wished there were a third plea option of “guilty with an explanation.”

Judge Stockard canvassed Nelson regarding his ability to represent himself. Nelson said he qualifies for a public defender but does not want one.

Following discussion with Stockard, Nelson agreed to the appointment of a public defender for a settlement conference only. The settlement conference was set for Sept. 25, and arraignment was continued to Oct. 6.