An unrepentant Jeffrey Weinhaus learned this morning (Nov. 25) he will spend at least the next 25 and a half years of his life in prison during his sentencing hearing before retired Circuit Judge Keith Sutherland at the Franklin County Judicial Center in Union.
Given a chance to speak, Weinhaus spent close to an hour berating law enforcement officers, judges in general, his legal representation and Sutherland, among others.
“I am the victim,” Weinhaus repeatedly stated emphatically during his prepared speech.
Weinhaus, 47, is an antigovernment Internet blogger who is known as “Bulletinman.” He grew up in the Twin Cities and is a 1985 graduate of Festus High School.
Sutherland issued the following sentences, which are to run concurrently, or at the same time:
■ 30 years in prison for assault or attempted assault on law enforcement officers. State statutes will require Weinhaus to serve at least 85 percent of the sentence, which comes to 25 and a half years.
■ 30 years for armed criminal action against a law enforcement officer (for which he must serve at least three years).
■ Two years for felony morphine possession.
■ One year for misdemeanor marijuana possession.
Sutherland said he was following jury recommendations in his sentencing. However, he made the decision to have the sentences run concurrently rather than consecutively, which would have meant a 63-year prison sentence for Weinhaus.
A Franklin County jury on Oct. 10 convicted Weinhaus of the three felonies and misdemeanor stemming from 2012 incidents involving Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers.
The first incident occurred Aug. 17, 2012, when law enforcement officers allegedly discovered illegal drugs in Weinhaus’ St. Clair-area home under a warrant issued after Weinhaus posted a YouTube video that authorities said threatened various Crawford County officials.
The second incident, on Sept. 11, 2012, was an arranged meeting between troopers and Weinhaus that turned violent. Two state troopers shot Weinhaus four times at a St. Clair-area gas station when they said he appeared to reach for his holstered pistol. He received life-threatening injuries, but has recovered.
Weinhaus will appeal his convictions, said one of his attorneys, Hugh Eastwood.
Franklin County Prosecuting Attorney Bob Parks said he was satisfied with the sentencing.
“I feel the sentencing was in line with the jury recommendation,” Parks said. “I would have liked to have seen consecutive sentencing because he did not show remorse. But, I was happy with the result.”