Mont. man gets probation on charges

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A Montana man accused of terrorizing the staff at St. Joseph’s Hospital and Health Center during an incident over the summer could have the felony charge against him dismissed if he successfully completes three years of probation.

As part of his plea agreement with the state, Richard Boyd Harrington, 58, pleaded guilty Monday in Southwest District Court in Dickinson to Class C felony terrorizing and received a three-year deferred imposition of sentencing, meaning that if Harrington complies with the terms of his three years of supervised probation, the case would be dismissed and the record would be sealed.

He also received a $525 fine and must maintain his sobriety.

Assistant Stark County State’s Attorney Jim Hope said he thought the supervised probation will be good for Harrington.

Harrington’s attorney, Jay Greenwood, his client admits that he acted inappropriately when Harrington was intoxicated at the hospital on Aug. 5 and threatened to kill a hospital employee.

“It was an unfortunate incident,” Greenwood said. “Mr. Harrington was not sober at the time, but he has been sober since then.”

Harrington also expressed his apologies to the court.

“It was wrong and I feel so bad,” he told Judge Zane Anderson.

Greenwood said Harrington will have to work out housing issues, though.

“Like a lot of people, Mr. Harrington came here for work, but he can’t find permanent housing,” Greenwood said.

Harrington said he is currently employed in Dickinson, but he does not make enough money each month to afford the cost of rent.

He added that he has a hard time getting work in the oil fields because he has a hard time doing the labor required as he gets older.

Harrington said he had also thought about moving to Bismarck, where there is a shelter he said he could move into right away, or maybe there was a was a way to stay in Dickinson while he serves out his probation.

“I know I’ll be fine, but it’s going to be a year before I can save the money I need and go home (to Montana),” he said.

Anderson suggested that Harrington discuss his situation with his probation officer, who may be able to give him some direction on what his best options might be.

In other court:

r Jaime Stroh, 36, Dickinson, accused of Class C felony possession of stolen property, waived his preliminary hearing Monday and pleaded not guilty.

Stroh is accused of having a stolen safe and wooden chest that had a combined value of more than $1,000 in the trunk of his vehicle on Aug. 30, according to the criminal complaint.

He will be bound over for future proceeds.

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