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A Vietnam veteran charged with stealing money from a dying man blamed his actions on post-traumatic stress syndrome.
Nevada resident David Bilbrey pleaded no contest Thursday to one count of theft under a plea agreement with the Ford County Attorney's Office. A second count of obstruction was dismissed.
Deputy Ford County Attorney David Belling said Bilbrey stole $600 from Plains resident James Cox, who was killed Sept. 11 in a two-vehicle wreck on U.S. Highway 54 near Bucklin. Cox was carrying a large sum of money, some of which was scattered on the highway after the wreck.
Bilbrey, who was not involved the wreck, picked up $600 and left the scene without turning the money over to authorities. He was arrested a short time later in Kiowa County.
Bilbrey's attorney, Deanna Knapp, said her client had served in Vietnam and earned several medals, including six Bronze Stars and a Silver Star. He suffers from chronic and severe post-traumatic stress syndrome as a result of his military service.
Knapp said when Bilbrey saw the wreck, it triggered a flashback to the violence he had seen in Vietnam.
"He came across a horrific car accident, Your Honor," Knapp told Magistrate Judge Keith Whitney. "Massive injuries to Mr. Cox."
She said Bilbrey checked Cox's pulse before picking up the money, but the flashback caused him to shut down. He then got into his car and drove away.
Knapp said her client had accepted responsibility for his actions from the beginning.
"I think he was ready at the first court hearing to take care of this," she said.
Before pronouncing the sentence, Whitney said he admired Bilbrey's military record but could not condone his actions.
"It appalls me that crimes like this happen," he said. "That's about as low as you can get."
The plea agreement called for Bilbrey to serve 120 days in jail in four 29-day installments so he would not lose his veterans benefits. But Whitney ordered Bilbrey to serve 174 days in jail, broken into six 29-day installments.
Bilbrey will not be placed on probation after he finishes his jail term.
Reach Eric Swanson at (620) 408-9917 or email him at eric.swanson@dodgeglobe.com.
A Vietnam veteran charged with stealing money from a dying man blamed his actions on post-traumatic stress syndrome.
Nevada resident David Bilbrey pleaded no contest Thursday to one count of theft under a plea agreement with the Ford County Attorney's Office. A second count of obstruction was dismissed.
Deputy Ford County Attorney David Belling said Bilbrey stole $600 from Plains resident James Cox, who was killed Sept. 11 in a two-vehicle wreck on U.S. Highway 54 near Bucklin. Cox was carrying a large sum of money, some of which was scattered on the highway after the wreck.
Bilbrey, who was not involved the wreck, picked up $600 and left the scene without turning the money over to authorities. He was arrested a short time later in Kiowa County.
Bilbrey's attorney, Deanna Knapp, said her client had served in Vietnam and earned several medals, including six Bronze Stars and a Silver Star. He suffers from chronic and severe post-traumatic stress syndrome as a result of his military service.
Knapp said when Bilbrey saw the wreck, it triggered a flashback to the violence he had seen in Vietnam.
"He came across a horrific car accident, Your Honor," Knapp told Magistrate Judge Keith Whitney. "Massive injuries to Mr. Cox."
She said Bilbrey checked Cox's pulse before picking up the money, but the flashback caused him to shut down. He then got into his car and drove away.
Knapp said her client had accepted responsibility for his actions from the beginning.
"I think he was ready at the first court hearing to take care of this," she said.
Before pronouncing the sentence, Whitney said he admired Bilbrey's military record but could not condone his actions.
"It appalls me that crimes like this happen," he said. "That's about as low as you can get."
The plea agreement called for Bilbrey to serve 120 days in jail in four 29-day installments so he would not lose his veterans benefits. But Whitney ordered Bilbrey to serve 174 days in jail, broken into six 29-day installments.
Bilbrey will not be placed on probation after he finishes his jail term.
Reach Eric Swanson at (620) 408-9917 or email him at eric.swanson@dodgeglobe.com.
