Kenneth S. Welsh pleads no contest to felony, misdemeanor

STAR JOURNAL REPORT

A 60-year-old Tripoli man who was accused of trying to shoot his wife at their town of Lynne residence April 19 has entered into a plea agreement in Oneida County Circuit Court.

Kenneth S. Welsh, who has remained in custody since his arrest, pleaded no contest Tuesday to an amended felony charge of first-degree recklessly endangering safety and a misdemeanor count of operating a firearm while intoxicated. He had initially face a felony count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, which was amended. Charges of first-degree reckless injury and battery were dismissed as part of the plea agreement.

The felony charge for which Welsh has been found guilty carries a maximum possible sentence of 7 ½ years of initial confinement in prison, followed by five years of extended supervision, and/or a $25,000 fine. The misdemeanor count is punishable by up to nine months in jail and/or a $10,000 fine.

Judge Michael H. Bloom ordered a presentence investigation and set Welsh’s sentencing hearing for Dec. 13.

Welsh was accused of possessing a firearm during a physical altercation April 19 with his wife, Mary Butler, and receiving a gunshot wound to his shoulder during the altercation. Upon Butler then leaving the residence, court records state Welsh shot the windshield of the vehicle with which she drove away.

Court records also note that Welsh, who was upset because he and his wife were about to be evicted from the house the couple lived in and was making threats, had been apprehended at his residence after Special Response Team officers responded to the scene and used beanbag rounds to subdue him.