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Parole violation may mean prison time for Logan woman

April 19th, 2013 Posted in Opinion

By Jonathan Larson

LOGAN – Shay Lynn Spackman stood in front of First District Judge Thomas Willmore, a notary and about 40 people Wednesday afternoon and signed a power of attorney document, relinquishing her control over her estate in the event she is sent to prison.

The 36-year-old Logan resident was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of using oxycontin, a violation of her parole for previous shoplifting and controlled substance abuse convictions. Spackman will appear before Willmore again on Monday. She will remain in jail until that time.

Herm Olson, Spackman’s lawyer, said that she has been in and out of jail several times but has avoided prison by attending psychological treatment and counseling.

According to Olson, Spackman refuses to appear in drug court to sort out her continued substance abuse issues and she does not qualify for mental health court because she has never been diagnosed with a mental illness. Until she does, she will continue to come before Willmore.

Olson said that the last time Spackman was in front of Willmore, he gave her an ultimatum – either clean up or get sent to prison.

“At this point, we’ve dodged bullets in remarkable ways,” he said. “There is no dodging it this time, though.”

If she is found to have violated her parole at the hearing on Monday, Spackman may face prison time where the state sponsors drug abuse recovery programs and provides psychological counseling.

“This is just one of the multiple tragedies that pass through here every day,” Olson said. “She is a wonderful lady. She just needs some help.”

NW

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