'You can't undo that day'
SALEM, Ore. - Nick Teixeira was just 15 years old when he shot Clackamas County Sgt. Damon Coates at point-blank range, nearly killing him.
Instead of prison, Teixeira went to the Oregon State Hospital for mental health treatment.
At a hearing Wednesday, a state board said he can be evaluated for wanting to go to a residential treatment facility instead of serving out the remainder of his 20-year sentence.
The shooting, nine years ago, left Coates severely and permanently disabled.
Teixeira, now 24, had four different state hospital employees testify on his behalf. They recommended that he be allowed to make the transfer to a lower security facility. They said he hasn't been on medication for four years and hasn't needed them. One employee even said Teixeira's mental illness is in "remission."
But the family of Coates said releasing Teixeira from the state hospital would be unfair. They pointed to Coates' condition, which is getting worse. He had a severe seizure six months ago that set back his progress in speaking and writing.
Coates' wife, Tammy, spoke directly to Teixeira during the hearing.
"You can't undo that day, and I'm sure you wish, probably not as much as Damon, that that day was undone," she said.
"Somewhere in all of this, there's supposed to be some justice irregardless he gets well, he gets free, he's living a normal life, my son is as good as dead and our life is ruined" said Coates' father, Jerry.
It took the board just 15 minutes to deliberate and decide Teixeira will stay at the state hospital for now. But he was granted the evaluation that could win him at least some measure of freedom.
"I know that's the system – nothing we can do about it right now, but I don’t approve," said Jerry Coates after the hearing.
In contrast, Teixeira's attorney immediately congratulated his client, and the state hospital employees who testified gave each other "thumbs up" signs in the back of the room.
Coates got shot responding to a call from Teixeira's own parents who were worried about their son's behavior.
