Ericksen sentenced to life in prison

Chad Ericksen was sentenced to life in prison in the 26th Circuit Court Monday afternoon for the 2007 stabbing of Ervin Ritthaler Jr.

On Aug. 27, a jury found Ericksen guilty of assault with intent to commit murder for stabbing Ritthaler on Dec. 20, 2007, near 201 Long Lake Avenue in Alpena.

During Ericksen's sentencing, Alpena County Prosecutor Dennis Grenkowicz presented evidence of Ericksen's prior criminal history.

The court heard testimony from Joshua Jackson, who said he was stabbed by Ericksen in July 1997 at a rest area in Genesee County. Jackson had been traveling to Alpena from St. Clair Shores with Ericksen and another acquaintance. Ericksen was not convicted in the incident.

Grenkowicz submitted a police report of the incident, along with other documents pertaining to three felony convictions Ericksen had from a stabbing case in Port Huron as evidence exhibits of prior criminal history. Circuit Court Judge John Kowalski accepted the exhibits and said he would consider them.

Robert Stratton III, Ericksen's attorney, said he had no objection to the submitted evidence because his client was not going to deny his criminal history.

Grenkowicz asked the court to consider imposing a life sentence because of Ericksen's criminal history and said it would be justified in the sentencing guidelines.

"We have an individual who is simply, uncontrollably violent," he said. "I submit to the court, Mr. Ericksen is simply a homicide waiting to happen."

Ericksen said he felt bad for Ritthaler, Ritthaler's family and his own family because they are all suffering due to the stabbing.

All of his crimes had been related to drinking or being under the influence of something. He's never denied his crimes and has taken responsibility for them, he said.

"I'm sorry to the victim for what happened to him. No one deserves to be crippled for life," Ericksen said. "Everyone's trying to make me out to be the super bad guy. I'm not the super bad guy. I have a family and I care about them."

During an impact statement, Ritthaler's mother, Debbie, called Ericksen an evil man and a coward. After being stabbed, her son endured several medical hardships including the amputation of his legs, and suffering from strokes and seizures, she said.

"On Dec. 20, 2007, our family's life was turned upside down. We thought we were living in a nightmare," she said.

Before imposing Ericksen's life sentence, Kowalski said he didn't see an end to Ericksen's violent tendencies.

"I look at the past and he uses a knife in a way a lot of people use their fists," he said.

Grenkowicz said he was pleased with the sentence Ericksen was given.

"I think justice was served and I think the community will be much safer with Mr. Ericksen behind bars," he said.

Debbie Ritthaler said she and her family also were pleased with Ericksen's sentence.

Stratton said he and his client have filed to get transcripts from the trial and sentencing to see if there will be any grounds for an appeal.

Patty Ramus can be reached via e-mail at pramus@thealpenanews.com or by phone at 358-5687.