Exclusive | Senior citizen sentenced to 4-years after shooting mugger faces the grim truth: I might not come out

On January 14, Charles Foehner will begin serving a four-year prison sentence.Yes, New Yorkers, we can finally rest easy.We got him.

And by him, I mean a 67-year-old man who poses no danger to society.Foehner is a retired doorman with the gift of gab, a devoted wife, and a habit of saying “groovy.” He spends his time watching naval history videos on YouTube.While there are many violent criminals with rap sheets the length of a CVS receipt walking our streets, Queens DA Melinda Katz decided to throw the book at this senior citizen, after he pleaded guilty to owning unlicensed guns.“The only way I can get out of bed in the morning is to not think about [going to prison],” Foehner told me as we sat in the living room of his Pennsylvania townhouse, where he moved a year ago.As sun sets on his freedom, Foehner is trying to summon the energy to call the prison consultant, who will prepare him for his grim next chapter.“I’ve got to really give him a buzz, but I’m so shut down that it’s hard to get anything done.You think, ‘okay, I am going to call’ and the day goes by and I haven’t done it.”Instead, he’s spending time with his devoted wife Jenny Foehner-Speed and his 8-year-old dog, Biscuit, who was recently diagnosed with cancer.

He’s making plans to see loved ones and friends.One of whom is suffering from various maladies.“I don’t know if he’s going to be here in three, four years when I get out.

I have friends in Queens who might move.Or they might be dead.

I mean, I might not come out,” he said.He doesn’t know where he’ll be serving his time, but he has one objective: “Survive.” He’s trying to make a plan for his imminent confinement.“I wouldn’t mind learning to weld.I’d like to become a tutor.

I always thought I would be a good teacher.”Well, the way his case has been handled by Katz has certainly been instructive.And it should enrage anyone with a sense of justice or proportionality.Foehner first collided wi...