A Columbus man diagnosed
with Alzheimer's has been given probation for his involvement in a drug
case after a judge accepted his medical records confirming the
diagnosis.
Thomas Leffers, 71, who is in the early onset stage of the disease,
was sentenced to 18 months of probation for a marijuana sale in March.
The judge also sentenced Leffers to 90 days in jail, but that could be
waived if Leffers performs well on probation.
Leffers pleaded
guilty in June to an attempted possession charge in a plea deal with the
Platte County attorney's office. Then in August the judge postponed
sentencing to allow Leffers to participate in a presentence report that
would include a doctor's confirmation of his medical condition.