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Ironton man pleads guilty in burglary cases
Burke arraigned on purse snatching
Published Thursday, October 15, 2009
The third in a group of daytime burglars who struck the Pedro and Kitts Hill areas this summer pleaded guilty to his part in the crimes Wednesday; meanwhile, a man accused of purse-snatching at a local eatery was arraigned as well.
Shon D. Williams, 24, of 1208 S. Second St., Ironton, told Lawrence County Common Pleas Judge Charles Cooper he was guilty of four counts of complicity to burglary.
Cooper sentenced him to a total of 10 years in prison, the same sentence two cohorts received when they pleaded guilty last week. But with good behavior, Williams could be eligible for judicial release after 7 years.
“I’m sorry for what happened,” Williams told Cooper. I apologize to everyone this happened to.” He wiped tears from his eyes with the end of the shirt sleeve at times during Wednesday’s proceedings.
Williams’ attorney, Mike Davenport, asked for a brief furlough before Williams is sent to prison, a request Cooper granted.
Williams follows in the footsteps of Ranae Schwab 26, of 1021 S. Sixth St., Ironton, and Sara Branham, 23, of Raceland, Ky., who both pleaded guilty to their part in the string of burglaries and were each sentenced to 10 years in prison. Charges are pending against a fourth person, William Sexton, 26, 204 ½ Mastin Ave., Ironton.
Authorities arrested the four people in August after residents in Pedro and Kitts Hill reported their homes burglarized. The four reportedly told sheriff’s deputies they would knock on doors of homes they intended to victimize to see if anyone was home.
If not, they would break in; if someone answered they would pretend they were looking for someone and leave.
Also Wednesday, an alleged purse snatcher, Emory S. “Scotty” Burke, 28, of 104 Scott Ave., Ironton, was arraigned on charges of tampering with evidence and resisting arrest and two counts of theft.
He pleaded not guilty through his attorney, Sterling Gill. Cooper set bond at $25,000, but not without some debate first between Gill and Assistant Lawrence County Prosecutor Mack Anderson.
Anderson asked Cooper to continue a $25,000 bond set in Ironton Municipal Court, given the seriousness of the charges and Burke’s lengthy criminal history.
He said he would be agreeable to Burke posting 10 percent of that amount. But Gill countered that bail is not meant as a punishment but is intended to ensure the defendant’s appearance for court hearings and at trial and Burke has always shown up for court in previous cases against him.
“He has a right to a reasonable bond,” Gill said.
But Anderson argued that bond is also meant to ensure the safety of the public.
“This man is a repeat offender,” Anderson pointed out. “I think this is a reasonable bond.”
Burke is accused of going to Skeeto’s Pizza in Hecla in August and asking to use the telephone.
When he was shown the telephone in the stock room, he allegedly grabbed two purses belonging to employees and fled.
He was reportedly chased by a sheriff’s deputy and a game warden and apprehended in the woods near the restaurant.
Burke must return to court in two weeks for a pretrial conference.
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Comments
Posted by charlie (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 11:58 a.m. (Suggest removal)
BOO HOO ! I'll bet that immediately after he was kicking in doors, rifling through closets & dresser drawers of a 96 years old man, he went out to the car and cried, wiping tears with the end of his shirt sleeve. GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!!!!
BE NO TEARS IF HE WAS STILL DOING IT.!!!! Remorse comes only in a crusier.
Posted by PointofView (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 12:25 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I agree 100% Charlie. I was in the line of these criminals. I feel they're only sorry that they were caught. It's good that these individuals are getting a fair amount of time to reflect on their crimes, but I believe it's time to make sure those committing attempted murder and murder get just sentences as well. I've known some to get out in a little over 3 years. Something to think about. Aloha to these four criminals.
Posted by goybar1 (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 3:55 p.m. (Suggest removal)
LET EM SIT THE WHOLE 10 YEARS-WILL BE GOOD TO GET TRASH LIKE THIS OFF THE STREETS.
Posted by maemae (anonymous) on October 15, 2009 at 8:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I feel really bad for the kids left behind and don't forget these are some of gods children too there is still hope!
Posted by Rod (anonymous) on October 16, 2009 at 4:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Great things are happening for our community. Check out the local attorney thats facing a hearing for his misconduct at the Ohio State Supreme Court on November 17 & 18 . The hearing will be held in front of the Board of Commissionars for attorney discipline. The public is welcome. You don't want to miss this one. See justice in action. For more info email me at rodmax2@yahoo.com
Posted by goodneighbor (anonymous) on October 16, 2009 at 7:02 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by PointofView (anonymous) on October 16, 2009 at 9:13 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have to say that it doesn't matter to me why these people turn to lives of crime. I really can't name a family that hasn't been touched by drug abuse in some form or fashion. I, for one, have known of drug abusers that have broken into homes thinking that they were empty, only to stab the home owner out of fear and a desire to feed their habits. It breaks down to the fact that drugs are evil, but they are also a personal choice. I would have more than likely shot these individuals in my home. They should consider themselves lucky to be able to do the time they've been stupid enough to acquire. My children are small and I often give them a bath in the afternoon to relax them for their naps. I'm one of those homes that they'd have thought was empty and I will protect my own. I do believe that the war on drugs should take a different approach, but it IS a personal choice in most cases of addiction. I've broken my neck, fractured my skull, shattered a wrist, suffer from 2 diseases and I am not an addict. It was my choice to wean myself off of the pain pills. I will say that if I need the pills for real pain, I should still be able to attain them without jumping through hoops. I've got the medical history to prove that there are times when I need them. You'd be surprised how often I encounter skepticism when asking for something stronger than an aspirin. Quit making excuses for drug addicts, period. The cops need to be clean and unbiased themselves with prosecuting attorney's who don't just probation these offenders. Maybe a separate institution for housing drug offenders should be considered that emphasizes rehabilitation.
Posted by MasterChef (anonymous) on October 17, 2009 at 11:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)
goodneighbor, you DON'T know what you're talking about. The doctor you mentioned is one of the toughest docs around when it comes to pills. You should really know facts when running your mouth.
Instead of downing the doctors, put the blame on the users. They ARE the ones to blame.
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