Girlfriend sentenced in deputy shooting

KALAMAZOO, Mich. (WOOD) - A woman who pleaded guilty to being an accessory after her boyfriend shot a Kalamazoo County deputy during a traffic stop was sentenced to 60 days in jail.

On Jan. 6, 2012, William Wright and his brother, Christopher, were pulled over by a deputy on E. Michigan Avenue near Sprinkle Road in Kalamazoo. William Wright fired a gun and hit Deputy Jeff Nichols in the arm.

A chase ensued, and the Wrights dumped their car and ran to the home of William Wright's girlfriend, Jessica Carpenter.

She let them use her Jeep and was with them for several hours. Another chase took place, and Wright crashed the Jeep. They fled, but Carpenter was arrested at that scene.

She was originally held on an outstanding meth warrant, and later faced a charge of being an accessory after the fact, which carried a potential sentence of five years behind bars and/or a $10,000 fine.

Carpenter entered the plea in May. She was sentenced to 12 days in jail for maintaining a drug house and 60 days in jail for being an accessory. Carpenter was given credit for 25 days served.

Christopher Wright became the main witness against his brother William, and was sentenced Feb. 28 to 32 days in jail and two years probation.

William Wright pleaded guilty to assault with intent to murder, felony firearm and fleeing and eluding.

At his sentencing March 19, William Wright was called by Judge Greg Giguere "an incredibly dangerous person" who "must be excluded from society." He then sentenced Wright to spend at least 30 years in prison for the crimes, with a maximum of 75. Under terms of a plea agreement, Wright received two years in prison for the firearm charge.