A former Point Loma sailor who attacked San Diego Gas & Electric workers while they were trying to restore electricity in Mission Beach was sentenced Friday, Feb. 28 to 180 days in a work furlough program.
Christ George Kolaras, 29, of Mission Beach, will be allowed to go to his new computer job but will be locked up on weekends and at night under terms of three years’ probation. Kolaras was fined $1,054 by San Diego Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sontag, who set a restitution hearing April 29 to see if Kolaras should be ordered to pay $109,892 in medical expenses for the seriously injured worker.
Kolaras had a cast on his arm and used it to strike SDG&E worker Vic Justis, who was struck so hard in the chest that he went into cardiac arrest and was rushed to the hospital. Deputy District Attorney Erica Hiramatsu said the worker lost his career because of his injuries in what she called a “completely unprovoked” incident.
The prosecutor urged a
1-year term in jail, while the probation department recommended 270 days in jail.
Kolaras pleaded guilty Dec. 10 to felony assault of one victim, and the judge dismissed charges involving another victim, making a criminal threat and being under the influence of methamphetamine.
Patrick Briggs, Kolaras’ attorney, Patrick Briggs, told the judge the incident was due to a combination of alcohol and pain reliever medication and said his client was eligible to serve his sentence in a work furlough facility. Briggs said his client was remorseful and the sentences recommended by Hiramatsu and the probation department were excessive.
Kolaras told Sontag he has been discharged from the Navy as a result of the incident and he has lost his dream of having a 20-year naval career. Kolaras, who had been stationed at Naval Base Point Loma, received a general discharge, he said.
Kolaras said he remembered wearing a cast from his wrist surgery and drinking alcohol, but “I have no recollection” of what happened that night. He said he was surprised to wake up and find himself in jail. The former sailor apologized for injuring Justis.
The SDG&E crew was working at an electrical box at 3102 Mission Boulevard around 1 a.m. on Sept. 7, 2007.
Workers saw Kolaras and warned him about exposed wiring, but Kolaras began shoving them for no apparent reason. Police were called, and four officers subdued him.
“You pushed one of the victims with such force,” Sontag said. “They were trying to restore power.”
The judge said some custody is necessary for the unintended consequences of Kolaris’ actions. She gave him credit for 12 days previously spent in jail.
Sontag allowed Kolaras to remain free on $100,000 bond until his report date on March 17. She allowed him to leave the county and travel to Chicago for his grandfather’s funeral.