Skandunas sentenced in attempted murder
ANNISA KEITH | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 6 months AGO
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SANDPOINT — A Bonner County man was sentenced Tuesday to 11 years in prison for attempted first-degree murder related to an attack on a woman in August 2020.
Joshua Carl Skandunas, 49, was sentenced from 11 to 15 years in prison during the Aug. 3 hearing in First District Court. The sentencing follows a plea deal in which Skandunas entered an Alford plea of guilty on May 14. In exchange for the guilty plea, an additional burglary charge against Skandunas was dropped.
An Alford guilty plea is used when the defendant maintains their innocence despite knowing there is enough evidence to result in a guilty verdict. According to court records, Skandunas indicated to law enforcement that he may have stabbed the victim, but doesn’t remember actually doing so.
On August 29, 2020, Skandunas approached the victim outside of her residence at a Sandpoint apartment complex while she was retrieving her mail. He told the victim that he had a package for her, and he wanted to be let inside her residence.
When the victim refused, Skandunas pulled a butcher knife from behind his back and made moves to stab the victim, according to court documents. The victim grabbed the blade in an effort to defend herself and suffered wounds to her left hand.
A female witness, who also lived in the apartment complex, exited her residence upon hearing screaming from the victim.
Skandunas stabbed the victim twice in the upper torso. Despite her injuries, the victim was still able to flee Skandunas. He proceeded to chase the victim with the knife until she reached safety inside the witness's apartment. In the witness’s statement to responding law enforcement, Skandunas “busted into the house” but was halted by a second witness.
The first witness told law enforcement that Skandunas “was trying to kill her.”
“You didn’t hesitate, that’s the scariest thing,” the victim said in an impact statement addressing Skandunas. “You did it to yourself. Our lives will never be the same.”
In a written statement submitted during Tuesday’s sentencing, Skandunas cited alcohol as the reason for his actions.
“Never would I have imagined it would come to this,” he said in the letter. “I’m very grateful — as everyone is — that it was not worse.”
He said he would “peacefully accept” the court’s ruling in this case.
Skandunas, who is currently being held at Bonner County Jail, received 340 days credit toward his sentence.
The Bonner County Homeless Task Force is a local resource that opens their doors to women and families with children who are victims of domestic violence. The organization helps people gain self-sufficiency while remaining a part of their community. Those interested can fill out an application found on their website at bonnerhomelesstransitions.org. They can also be contacted at 208-265-2952.
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