WORTHINGTON, Minn. -- A Worthington man who admitted assaulting an off-duty police officer and stabbing a friend while playing a video game in a crime scene the judge said looked like something out of the movie Halloween will have to spend time in jail and attend anger management after being sentenced Tuesday.
Daniel Bockenstedt, 25, was sentenced to about three months in jail, but also placed on seven years of probation and ordered to attend anger management classes by Judge Gordon Moore, who handed down his ruling based on a plea agreement reached in March.
In a 2012 case, Bockenstedt plead guilty to assault in the fourth degree and driving while under the influence in the attack on the officer. In a 2014 case, he entered an Alford plea on a charge of assault in the second degree and contempt of court in the attack on his friend.
ADVERTISEMENT
In the 2014 incident, Bockenstedt was charged with stabbing his friend Brandon Liesinger in the chest following an argument over a video game. Bockenstedt claimed Liesinger pulled a butcher knife on him first. Bockenstedt said he then grabbed the knife and went at Liesinger, not to hurt him, but “semi got him in the chest.” During the alleged altercation, Bockenstedt was injured.
The judge noted that the evidence would have been “graphic” had the matter gone to trial. He indicated that the weapon used had been referred to as similar to the knife used by character Michael Myers in the “Halloween” franchise, and the photos of the crime scene following the alleged attack on Liesinger looked like a “scene from the ‘Halloween’ movie.”
In the 2012 case Bockenstedt turned a corner sharply in his vehicle, nearly striking the vehicle of an off-duty officer waiting in traffic. The officer said to Bockenstedt, “Nice driving, use your blinker.” Bockenstedt then slammed his brakes, reversed the vehicle and began cursing at the officer once the vehicles were side by side.
The officer attempted to explain the issue, but said Bockenstedt’s music blaring from the vehicle prevented him from being heard. The officer then exited his personal vehicle to speak to Bockenstedt. The defendant continued to berate him, then brandished a knife and swung toward the officer.
The officer returned to his vehicle and began following Bockenstedt at a safe distance. Bockenstedt then turned suddenly and blocked the officer, pushing him partially off of the roadway. Both men exited their vehicles after Bockenstedt approached the officer’s vehicle.
A physical altercation followed, with Bockenstedt ultimately being held on the ground until police arrived. Officers who arrived on the scene reported the smell of alcohol coming from Bockenstedt at the time of his arrest.
Addressing both cases, Moore said they were “perplexing to the court” and “concerning to say the least.” Moore noted Bockenstedt’s actions in both cases were “red flags” for anger management or substance abuse issues. Moore noted how something so insignificant in both cases became so life-threatening, and also said the plea agreement was favorable to Bockenstedt.
If the case went to trial, “(I) have little doubt in my mind (he would) be convicted,” Moore said.
ADVERTISEMENT
As part of the plea agreement on the 2014 case, Bockenstedt was issued a stay of execution on a 21-month prison sentence with probation of up to seven years. However, he will serve 120 days in the Nobles County Jail with credit for four days served.
In addition to standard felony probation conditions, Bockenstedt will have to attend a MADD impact panel, attend six anger management courses, abstain from alcohol and drugs and submit to random alcohol and drug testing and searches. He must also avoid establishments that primarily sell alcohol.
Liesinger has 30 days from Bockenstedt’s conviction to ask for restitution as well.
Additionally, Bockenstedt was sentenced on the 2012 assault to a one-year stayed jail sentence with two years’ probation on the assault charge. Bockenstedt was also ordered to stay away from the officer unless contact is made in the normal course of the officer’s duties. On the DWI charge, Bockenstedt’s 90-day jail sentence was also stayed with a one year probation. He is also to pay a $500 fine.
