01/25/10

BOISE, Idaho (AP) _ A Nampa man who pointed a gun at a police
officer and was then shot several times has been sentenced to seven
years in prison.

Forty-two-year-old Richard Doyle Mattison pleaded guilty in
December of aggravated assault or battery of a police officer for
his role in the Aug. 23 standoff at his home.

Third District Judge Rene Hoff decided Monday Mattison must
serve at least 18 months before being eligible for parole.

Police said Mattison was hiding in an ambush position behind a
hot tub as a Nampa police officer responding to a domestic abuse
complaint walked into his backyard. Mattison pointed a gun at the
officer, who then shot Mattison several times.

Prosecutors said Mattison told investigators he wanted the
officer to shoot and kill him. Mattison's mother had died a few
months before the incident. In addition, the poor economy had
slammed his tattoo artist business and his pickup truck had been
repossessed. Just the day before the incident, his daughter
delivered a baby that had died in the womb.

(Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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