Christopher Combs, Missouri Criminal Defense Attorney, Helps Hazelwood Man Avoid Incarceration in Felony Case

Combs Waterkotte News

March 10, 2025

Facing over 25 years in prison with an 85% mandatory minimum, a Hazelwood man avoided a lengthy sentence thanks to the strategic defense led by Chris Combs.

Chris Combs, a leading St. Louis criminal defense attorney, successfully defended a Hazelwood man who faced multiple serious felony charges stemming from a Memorial Day incident that escalated into gunfire near occupied apartments.

The client, who had been attending a barbecue and became intoxicated, returned home and became involved in a domestic dispute with his wife. The situation escalated when his adult stepsons intervened and assaulted him. In an impaired state, the client retrieved an assault rifle, entered his vehicle, and fired multiple rounds in an attempt to scare his stepsons. Some of the gunfire struck nearby apartments, significantly increasing the severity of the charges against him.

Originally facing more than 25 years in prison with an 85% mandatory minimum, Christopher Combs and his team at Combs Waterkotte launched an aggressive defense strategy that included:

  1. Challenging ballistics evidence to dispute key elements of the prosecution’s claims.
  2. Conducting multiple depositions to expose inconsistencies in witness statements.
  3. Facilitating the client’s enrollment in treatment programs, demonstrating his commitment to rehabilitation.

These efforts led to a plea agreement under which the client was sentenced to 120 days in the Intensive Therapeutic Community (ITC) program within the Missouri Department of Corrections—an outcome that allowed him to avoid a decades-long prison sentence.

As an experienced criminal defense attorney in Missouri, Chris Combs has built a reputation for his strategic, evidence-driven defense in high-stakes felony cases. His firm, Combs Waterkotte, continues to secure favorable results for clients by meticulously analyzing evidence, challenging prosecutorial claims, and pursuing every available legal avenue.

About Combs Waterkotte’s St. Louis Criminal Defense Firm

Combs Waterkotte is a premier criminal defense law firm in St. Louis, Missouri, dedicated to defending individuals facing serious felony and misdemeanor charges across the state. Led by Chris Combs, a top criminal defense attorney in Missouri, the firm is known for its aggressive legal strategies, meticulous case preparation, and commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for clients. Whether through trial advocacy or strategic negotiations, Combs Waterkotte fights tirelessly to protect the rights of the accused.

Need Missouri’s leading criminal defense team to protect your rights and future? Call Combs Waterkotte today at (314) 900-HELP or contact us online for a free consultation.

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