Legislator’s son sent to prison in battery

The 21-year-old son of a state senator arrested last year on attempted murder charges was sentenced this week in District Court to spend 19 months to five years in prison.

District Judge Jackie Glass sentenced Walter Coffin, son of Sen. Bob Coffin, D-Las Vegas, to prison Tuesday after Walter Coffin pleaded guilty but mentally ill to two counts of felony battery domestic violence with substantial bodily harm.

Guilty but mentally ill means Walter Coffin could be ordered to receive treatment for his mental illness while in prison or while on parole.

Las Vegas police arrested Coffin in February 2008 after he beat and choked his girlfriend, according to a police report.

Coffin told his girlfriend that he is bipolar and suicidal. On the night he was arrested, he told police that he hadn't been taking his medication.

Coffin received a 12-to-48-month suspended sentence in 2007 after he pleaded guilty to assault with a deadly weapon. He was placed on probation.

In that incident, Coffin got into a minor traffic altercation and threatened two women in the other vehicle with a musical drumstick, authorities said.

The state senator couldn't be reached for comment Wednesday.