GIOVANNI KOPYSTENSKI - 5 yo(2009) - Las Vegas - NV

Father enters guilty plea in shooting death of child

Posted: Jan. 25, 2011 | 4:32 p.m.


The father of 5-year-old Giovanni Kopystenski, who died in 2009 of a
self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, pleaded guilty to child abuse
and neglect with substantial bodily harm last week.Alex
Kopystenski of Las Vegas faces two to 20 years in prison. A sentencing
hearing is scheduled for May 23 before District Judge Jessie Walsh.Authorities
say Giovanni was in his father's car on July 20, 2009, outside a
Walgreens drive-through lane at Durango Drive and Warm Springs Road when
the child picked up a loaded handgun. The boy suffered a single gunshot
wound to the head.Giovanni, who was autistic, was pronounced dead at a hospital.
http://www.lvrj.com/news/father-enters-guilty-plea-in-shooting-death-of-child-114609559.html

Sentencing delayed for father who admits guilt in boy’s fatal shooting

Wed, Aug 10, 2011

Sentencing has been delayed until later this month for a Las Vegas man who admitted guilt for a 2009 incident in which his 5-year-old son fatally shot himself with a handgun.

Alex Kopystenski, who is under house arrest, has pleaded guilty to a felony charge of child abuse and neglect with substantial bodily harm in the death of the boy, Giovanni Kopystenski.

During a hearing this morning, Judge Jessie Walsh asked for an updated report from a doctor examining the father.

Walsh reset his sentencing for 8:30 a.m. Aug. 24 and allowed his house arrest to continue.

According to police, Kopystenski, who had a permit for the 9mm handgun, had placed it on the console between the front seats of the vehicle he and the boy were riding in.

Shortly before 8 p.m. July 20, 2009, they were going through a drive-in window at the Walgreens on Durango Drive and Warm Spring Road when the boy picked up the firearm and shot himself in the head, police said.

After the shooting, the father rushed the boy to Spring Valley Hospital and the boy was taken to University Medical Center's trauma unit, where he died about five hours later, police said.

According to court records, in May, Chief Deputy District Attorney Vicki Monroe argued that the defendant violated the terms of his plea agreement by getting arrested for DUI. However, his house arrest was allowed to stand.

http://m.lvsun.com/news/2011/aug/10/sentencing-delayed-father-who-admits-guilt-boys-fa/

Father whose 5-year-old son died from gunshot gets five years probation

Posted: Aug. 24, 2011 | 1:59 p.m.
The father of 5-year-old Giovanni Kopystenski, who died in 2009 of a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, was sentenced to five years of probation Wednesday.

Alex Kopystenski of Las Vegas pleaded guilty in January to child abuse and neglect with substantial bodily harm.

Authorities say Giovanni was in his father's car on July 20, 2009, outside a Walgreens drive-through lane at Durango Drive and Warm Springs Road when the child picked up a loaded handgun. The boy suffered a single gunshot wound to the head.

Giovanni, who was autistic, was pronounced dead at a hospital.

During a tearful sentencing hearing before District Judge Jessie Walsh, Alex Kopystenski's lawyer, Stephen Stein, said his client suffers from deep feelings of guilt and has suicidal thoughts. Stein said he's had to remind his client that committing suicide would mean Alex Kopystenski could never be reunited with his son in heaven.

Since the incident, Alex Kopystenski has started a foundation in his son's memory, and he speaks publicly about the incident and how to prevent similar tragedies from happening, Stein said.

As part of his probation, Walsh ordered Kopystenski to stay away from weapons, stay out of trouble and attend counseling if needed.

Prosecutors were asking for Kopystenski to spend a year in jail.

http://www.lvrj.com/news/father-whose-5-year-old-son-died-from-gunshot-gets-five-years-probation-128342428.html?ref=428