Nov. 04--A man who attacked a police officer and an emergency medical technician in Palmer Township while naked and high on hallucinogenic mushrooms will serve seven to 18 months in Northampton County Prison.
Garrison L. Goodman, 31, received the sentence Friday from President Judge F.P. Kimberly McFadden after earlier pleading guilty to aggravated assault, simple assault, reckless endangerment and resisting arrest.
On April 24, Goodman was tripping on mushrooms when he attempted to "fly" down the stairs of his friend's Dunkle Street home, Palmer police said. He broke his collarbone and cut his head, and an ambulance was called to aid him.
But when Brian Flavelle of Suburban Emergency Medical Services arrived, he was attacked in the front yard by the naked Goodman, who struck him several times in the head.
When Wilson police officer Marc Crisafulli arrived, Goodman began assaulting him, too, with the melee ending only when Goodman was shocked with a stun gun.
"It started as a medical call," Palmer Detective Sgt. Timothy Ruoff said at the time. "It went bad from there."
Goodman, of Upper Nazareth Township, has said in court that he is an alcoholic who had gotten sober when his friend talked him into taking mushrooms. It was a "very bad experience," according to defense attorney Dwight Danser.
McFadden ordered Goodman to continue drug and alcohol treatment, complete 30 hours of community service and pay $3,400 for the responders' medical bills. He'll also have six months of probation once he completes his prison term.
610-253-5751
Copyright 2011 - The Morning Call, Allentown, Pa.
