EUGENE, Ore. (KMTR) - The man accused of breaking into a home for drugs and money and running from police was sentenced Thursday at the Lane County Courthouse.
Darrin George Dubouch, 39, plead guilty to burglary and robbery and was sentenced to 135 months in jail.
It was February when Dubouch and his accomplice, Shawn Connelly, drove up to the home on Stoney Ridge Road and knocked on the door. A resident of the home, Tyler Norman, opened the door, at which point Connelly replied, "Do you remember me?" The men forced entry. Norman grabbed his gun from underneath a pillow and shot at the burglars, killing Connelly. Dubouch ran down the street and into the woods. A police K9 later located him hiding in some shrubs.
The suspect and victim maintain different stories. Dubouch told police he had nothing to do with the crime, had no idea who Shawn Connelly was, and was sitting in the woods smoking marijuana before he planned to head over to Lane Community College.
"Norman was forthright, willing to talk, admitted his own culpability in delivering drugs to the person prior to this robbery. Mr. Dubouch denied any knowledge of what was going on, any knowledge of Connelly, and claimed to not have any interest in what was going on at Stoney Ridge," said District Attorney Chris Parosa.
Yet, a wallet, sunglasses, a bag of heroin and money were found close to the crime. DNA testing confirmed Dubouch was around the area.
Past reports of Dubouch identify him as a "loose knit gang member" who dabbled in drugs. He met Connelly through a drug program, according to Connelly's girlfriend. Dubouch, who is originally from Coburg, was on federal parole during the home invasion dating back to a bank robbery and a slew of burglaries.
Norman later admitted to police he was dealing drugs and a recovering heroin addict. He was charged with "delivery of heroin" but was deemed justified in shooting for self-defense.
District attorney Chris Parosa told NewsSource 16 Connelly had actually been arrested the night before this home invasion for drugs. Connelly got so desperate for drugs and money that he made a careless decision that ended up costing him his life.
"Drugs are a big problem in Lane County," Parosa said.
Inside the courtroom, Parosa played the 911 call.
Norman: Stoney Ridge Road! Two people just broke in with a gun, I need help, I shot one of them and one ran down the road. He's not moving. He's not moving.
Dispatcher: Where did you shoot him?
Norman: I don't know, I don't know. I just pointed at him and shot.
Norman told the dispatcher in the 911 call that the man he shot was gasping for air. He also feared the other man would return and kill him. When police arrived at the scene, they found Norman curled up in a bathroom with the door locked.
Parosa said the amount of time Dubouch was sentenced to is concurrent with statute. He will pay about $500 dollars in restitution post release.
Norman was arrested earlier in the week for a probation violation, but Parosa was not willing to comment.
The initial reports of the home invasion can be found here:
http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story/Shots-fired-in-South-Eugene-one-dead-one-in/_pigoFv8hkqLt0VbUcOUaA.cspx
The follow up and search warrant information can be found here:
http://www.kmtr.com/news/local/story/Investigators-discuss-possible-motive-in-burglary/X35CLf_qYEe2pG6LoXFKqw.cspx
