Guilty plea for Skyler Gronholz in traffic-stop attack on police

Checking the online files on various crime/court cases we have been following – we just discovered a guilty plea in one recent case: That of 28-year-old Skyler Gronholz, charged with third-degree assault for the attack that left two officers and a Good Samaritan injured after a traffic stop last month at 42nd/Charlestown. (A week later, we covered a Southwest Precinct event in which the citizen was formally thanked for helping the officers.) At the time of Gronholz’s arrest the night of that incident, he also was wanted on a warrant related to a burglary/stolen property case in which he had pleaded guilty earlier this year; court documents say that case is being folded into this one. He pleaded guilty to the November assault charge last week; prosecutors are recommending a 3 1/2-year prison sentence when he is sentenced on January 11th.

McGruff December 27, 2012 (8:50 pm)

The best they can tag this lowlife with is Assault 3? He’s a burglar on top of that? What does it take to get some hard time? He could’ve just as easily killed one of those cops if he had managed to get one of their weapons. He may get 3.5yrs, but he’ll be out before that.
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Just consider the ongoing adventures of the scumbags who killed the Tuba Man. We really need to get hardcore on the punks. I understand prisons are crowded, but they don’t have to cost as much as luxury housing. I say contract housing these goons out to the Mexican jail system, and watch how the crime rate drops!

Eric1 December 27, 2012 (9:58 pm)

I have to agree with McGruff on this crime. I really am offended that it was plea bargained down to a crime that doesn’t even count as a strike. I could live with the mere 3.5 years if I knew that he was one step closer to life in prison but I am displeased that the judicial system is too cheap to prosecute him and or house him appropriately.
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And you wonder why there is such a thing as a career criminal.

WSB December 27, 2012 (10:08 pm)

Eric – It wasn’t plea-bargained to third-degree assault. That is what he was charged with originally (the story from Nov. 16th is linked in our story, where the “charged with” is mentioned).

Anna Eileen December 27, 2012 (10:20 pm)

After following his story and hearing about all of his arrests and convictions, he has a big problem and a continued slap on the wrist will not help. He needs long term treatment and a longer sentence. He beat up or tried to beat up 2 cops! He might be a really great guy sober but he has been given enough chances, it’s time for him to pay.

SageK December 28, 2012 (12:44 am)

I know he seems like another scumbag. But he really isn’t. I know his parents and I knew him as a teen.

He might seem like a career criminal with the burglary conviction. But it all stems from feeding his drug addiction.

It just shows how drugs can destroy anyone’s life. He needs help and perhaps going to jail will do that for him.

Korm December 28, 2012 (7:56 am)

SageK- I am sure his parents are nice, and I am sure he was nice as a teen. Fact is he has made decisions that have made him a danger to the rest of us living in W. Seattle. He isn’t making the blog for his volunteer efforts, he is making it for his illegal activities.
I don’t want to call the guy a scumbag, but it is difficult when you hear that he attacks two officers and is wanted on a warrant.
He might not be a scumbag, but he certainly isn’t a productive member of the community either.

Mike December 28, 2012 (12:08 pm)

I feel for those that have had their lives changed forever due to Skyler’s decisions. They’ll never get to go back to living the lives they lived before he decided to change them. How many more people will Skyler impact negatively before somebody locks him up for good?

Dietrich December 31, 2012 (8:43 am)

I think the answer is 3 strikes and he’s out. He’s got at least 1 felony, let’s hope for everyone’s say when he’s out in a few years he makes better choices. But for the sake of those who are more law-biding, he’s now one step closer to being a lifer (who you will now get to support with your tax dollars).

RT January 3, 2013 (9:35 pm)

Ah and once again people like to assume from a blog. It’s funny how you can read stuff and feel as if you know exactly what is going on. Skyler does have a lot to work on and knows this. He will take the next 3 years or less to get down to the bottom of his crap. The people that do love and care for him will continue to stand by him. Drugs cause you to make horrible mistakes but people do change. I pray that he takes these next few years to really look deep and remember the man that he is.

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