BLOUNTVILLE — A Kingsport man who shot a stranger twice without warning or provocation has been denied probation.
Sullivan County Circuit Judge Jerry Beck on Friday ordered Roger Roller, 59, 4052 Sullivan Gardens Drive, to serve his 10-year sentence behind bars. Roller had requested probation or other alternative sentencing after pleading guilty to two counts of attempted second-degree murder.
The charges stem from Roller's April 21, 2011, shooting of James Hale, then 29, of Rogersville, in the chest and neck when Hale arrived at 4101 Sullivan Gardens Drive. According to an affidavit, Hale told investigators he had gone to the residence to visit a friend, identified as Mary Isbell. Hale said he was shot before he had even exited his vehicle and that no "warning or verbal confrontation" preceded the shots being fired.
Isbell told investigators she heard two gunshots followed by Hale "yelling for help." She went to her front door and found Hale lying on the front porch.
The woman's neighbors, Betty Roller and Billy Roller, are both siblings of Roger Roller.
Betty Roller, of 4105 Sullivan Gardens Drive, told investigators she walked outside to find Roger Roller standing on her porch "holding a pistol." A semiautomatic pistol was recovered from the scene.
Billy Roller, who was living with Roger Roller at 4052 Sullivan Gardens Drive, said he heard two gunshots and went across the street to his sister's residence. His brother was inside and told him "he had shot someone," Billy Roller told police. He also told investigators his brother had been drinking alcohol prior to the incident.
According to a pre-sentencing report, Hale spent three days in Holston Valley Medical Center and accumulated more than $10,000 in medical bills as a result of his injuries.
In his victim impact statement, Hale noted he "could've died" as a result of being shot by Roger Roller, whom he noted he had never met before.
"I don't know if he's just crazy or what. I think he should get something though," Hale said.
In a statement Roger Roller provided for the same report, he says he was "blistered" at that time. Public defender Joseph Harrison explained to the judge Roger Roller meant he was intoxicated. Roger Roller also said he was "sorry he shot the boy" and that he was "glad he wasn't killed."
Taking the witness stand for Friday's hearing, Roger Roller reiterated his regret, at one point advising "if I could undo it, I would, of course."
Harrison asked Roger Roller if he'd thought at the time that Hale was a danger to him, and Roger Roller responded, "I guess so."
Sullivan County Assistant District Attorney Julie Canter asked Roger Roller whether there was a verbal confrontation or if he'd just shot Hale. Roger Roller responded, "Like I say, I don't remember, but that's what the police report said."
Roger Roller also admitted to Canter that he'd taken prescribed Klonopin the day of the shooting.
In seeking probation, Roger Roller told the judge he is "getting too old to be in jail" and assured him he wouldn't have "any more trouble" from him.
In denying probation, Beck cited Roger Roller's prior history of criminal convictions or criminal behavior, which includes "several DUIs." Noting Hale's hospital stay and the resulting medical bills, Beck also found that personal injury to the victim was "great." He also cited Roger Roller's use of a firearm in the commission of the offense as a factor leading him to deny probation.
Beck noted Roger Roller has already spent about a year and a half behind bars, and he will be eligible for parole consideration after another year and a half. He also ordered Roger Roller to make restitution to Hale.