Paul Schmakeit, during his days as a Coupeville High School baseball player. (Shelli Trumbull photo)
Paul Schmakeit, a member of the 2010 Central Whidbey Little League juniors baseball team which won a state title, has been sentenced to 20 months in prison for his role in a 2015 burglary which broke the 68-year-old victim’s back and left him paralyzed.
The former athlete, who graduated from Coupeville High School in 2013, plead guilty Sept. 26 to residential burglary and assault in the second degree.
He is currently incarcerated in the Washington Corrections Center in Shelton, inmate #394801.
During a burglary of a Greenbank residence July 27, 2015, the homeowner, Dennis Phillips, returned and engaged Schmakeit.
The former Coupeville High School football player tackled the older man, landing on top of him and breaking his back, as detailed in police reports.
Schmakeit fled into the woods and was later arrested while trying to avoid a customs inspection at the Canadian border at Sumas.
He was found in possession of a handgun.
Canadian authorities have not publicly stated whether they will pursue their own charges against Schmakeit.
Phillips, who was not found until five hours after the crime, remains paralyzed.
Coupeville Sports 
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