APPLETON, Wis. (AP) -- A 63-year-old Hobart man convicted of drunken driving 13 times has been sentenced to serve 7 1/2 years in prison.
Gerald Blasczyk admitted in court Thursday to being an alcoholic.
Assistant District Attorney Peter Hahn urged the judge to impose a harsh sentence, saying Blasczyk needs treatment in a prison setting.
Defense attorney Walter Piel asked the judge for leniency, saying his client's alcoholism comes partially from a culture in northeastern Wisconsin that condones heavy drinking.
Judge Mitchell Metropulos told Blasczyk he was lucky he hadn't killed himself or someone else and sentenced him to the maximum 12 1/2 years, with five years suspended and credit for three years Blasczyk has been in prison while his case worked its way through the courts.
