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Man receives longer sentence in stabbing death By VICKI GUARINO MailTribune.com By VICKI GUARINO Posted Jul. 31, 1997 at 2:00 AM Updated Jan 12, 2011 at 12:39 PM By VICKI GUARINO Posted Jul. 31, 1997 at 2:00 AM Updated Jan 12, 2011 at 12:39 PM » Social News A young Ashland man whose manslaughter conviction launched a disputeheaded for the U.S. Supreme Court was resentenced Wednesday to the longprison term that is the focus of the high court case. Bobby Ron VanZant, 20, returned to Jackson County Circuit Court to receivea six-year, three-month term for the 1995 stabbing of Peter Forster, 22. VanZant had been sentenced to 20 months for the crime ­ a term hecompleted nearly nine months ago. Forster's mother, along with District Attorney Mark Huddleston, had soughtthe longer prison term ­ mandated by voters in Ballot Measure 11 ­since late 1995, when Judge Loren Sawyer refused to impose it on constitutionalgrounds. The state Supreme Court upheld the measure in February. Although attorneysplan an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court, VanZant and others who dodgeda Measure 11 term when they were originally sentenced are to return to JacksonCounty for resentencing to longer terms. Sawyer has commented that in certain circumstances, according to thestate Supreme Court, a Measure 11 term may yet be found unconstitutional,but only in specific instances when it would be cruel and unusual punishment. In VanZant's case, Sawyer rejected the defense argument that the six-yearterm would be cruel. It has to shock the conscience of a reasonable person, Sawyersaid after the sentencing hearing. I can't say 75 months would shockthe conscience. Even though I feel Measure 11 is wrong, I still feel I have tofollow the law. For Forster's mother, Margaret Dode, the new sentence gives a sense offinal resolution. In all reality it is some relief, Dode said. We'rejust glad it's over from our end. Also, she hopes the new sentence will be a warning to others. A message needs to be sent to Mr. VanZant and people that mightshare his disregard for the law that this kind of thing will not be tolerated,Dode said. VanZant was released from prison in early November. Since then, Dodeand her family had feared a chance encounter with VanZant. I don't think anyone realizes the fear we've had of running intohim, she said. Not that he would do anything to us, but it wouldbe just having to face someone who killed your child. Although VanZant avoided Peter Forster's family, he has had numerousrun-ins with the law. He served three separate jail terms for violatingparole by using drugs. Earlier this month he was charged with first-degree sexual abuse, andis awaiting trial. VanZant was 18 when he killed Forster, but he had a juvenile criminalrecord that included criminal mischief, assault, disorderly conduct andresisting arrest by threatening to waste a police officer witha gun. In the Forster case, he attacked an unarmed man who was too intoxicatedto pose any threat, Huddleston noted in a report to the court. Rather than shock the conscience, Huddleston concluded, the longer sentenceis appropriate. By VICKI GUARINO MailTribune.com By VICKI GUARINO Posted Jul. 31, 1997 at 2:00 AM Updated Jan 12, 2011 at 12:39 PM » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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