Wednesday, June 27, 2007

Convicted robber sentenced to Cottonwood correctional facility

Samudio to undergo evaluation before determination of prison or probation

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By TERRY SMITH
Express Staff Writer

Samuel Samudio is on his way to a northern Idaho correction facility following a Tuesday court sentencing. He will undergo 180 days of treatment and evaluation. A 25-year prison sentence was suspended. Photo by Willy Cook

A Hailey teenager who used a loaded shotgun to steal a 12-pack of beer from a Ketchum convenience store last August will undergo treatment and evaluation for six months at a northern Idaho correctional facility.

Samuel Samudio, 18, was sentenced Tuesday afternoon to 180 days at the North Idaho Correctional Institution in Cottonwood. In what is referred to as a "180-day rider," 5th District Court will retain jurisdiction over Samudio's case during that time. At its conclusion, Judge Barry Wood will decide if the defendant will serve prison time or be eligible for probation.

Wood also imposed a prison sentence that was suspended, but can be reinvoked if Samudio fails to satisfy requirements of the Cottonwood facility or fails later to meet the conditions of probation.

Samudio is sentenced to a total of 25 years in prison, nine years for a conviction of "assault with intent to commit a serious felony" and 16 years for robbery.

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He was also ordered to pay a civil fine of $5,000 to victim Charlotte Pate, who was working at Veltex the night of the robbery.

Samudio pleaded guilty in April to the crimes. He was accused of using a shotgun to steal a 12-pack of Keystone Light beer from Veltex Market in Ketchum in the early morning hours of Aug. 19, 2006. Although he was only 17 at the time, Samudio was charged as an adult.

Wood said that Samudio is not antisocial, though suffered a psychotic reaction to alcohol, cocaine and prescription medication the night of the robbery. Some 25 family members and friends attended the court hearing Tuesday to support Samudio.

Kerry Samudio, the defendant's mother, said she was satisfied with the sentence.

"It's what we hoped for," she said.

Pate said she was also satisfied.

"He needs help more than he needs prison," Pate said.