JEFFERSONVILLE —
A Charlestown man pleaded guilty Wednesday just before his wife was scheduled to testify at his trial, possibly saving her from facing perjury charges.
William “Billy” Colwell, 40, went to trial this week in Clark County Circuit Court No. 1. He was charged with class D felony possession of methamphetamine, class D felony resisting law enforcement and class B misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia along with the sentencing enhancers of habitual felony offender and habitual substance offender.
On Dec. 11, 2007, the driver of a red pickup truck fled police on Charlestown Bethlehem Road reaching speeds of 80 to 100 mph, according to Clark County Deputy Prosecutor Jake Elder. Clark County Sheriff’s Department Officer Mark Meyer pursued the truck for a few miles before the driver attempted to make a sharp right turn and left the roadway striking a tree off of Brooks Road.
Meyer, who had seen a male driving the truck, approached the crash scene as a woman crawled out of the driver’s side of the truck. Meyer asked her where the male driver went, and she said he took off running.
Police searched the wooded area near the crash scene but could not locate anyone. The woman identified as Lisa Colwell told police the driver was her husband, Billy Colwell. Police found a wallet belonging to Billy Colwell, along with meth and a meth pipe.
Despite providing a written statement that her husband was with her, Elder said Lisa Colwell claimed during a deposition that another man was driving.
Lisa Colwell was called by the prosecution to testify at trial Wednesday. Elder said he did not know what she would say, but since she had already given contradictory statements, he believes she would have committed perjury with either statement.
Due to legal challenges, Judge Dan Moore held a hearing outside the presence of the jury to discuss what Lisa Colwell would say during her testimony. Elder said she was in tears after the hearing.
“I believe after William Colwell saw how upset his wife was and how she was going to perjure herself, he decided to take the plea offered,” Elder said.
Colwell will serve 10 years in prison followed by two years of probation. The agreement will also resolve two cases in which he is charged with several counts of class D felony theft, class C felony receiving stolen auto parts and being a habitual offender. Elder said the exact terms have not been decided, but there will be no additional prison time.
According to police, Billy Colwell and 46-year-old James Patrick Cochran are responsible for widespread catalytic converter thefts in New Albany, Floyd County, Sellersburg and Clarksville. They would target vehicles in parking lots.
Colwell was arrested in Charlestown in October after a four-hour standoff with police.
A sentencing hearing is set for April 2 to finalize the plea agreement with Colwell. His attorney, Dawn Elston, did not return a call seeking comment.
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William "Billy" Colwell
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