Reginald Wilson will take his chances with a jury.
The Rochester resident with multiple felony convictions is accused of taking part in a four-person burglary that reportedly terrified an older person on State Street. The woman was reportedly home and in bed at the time
Wilson turned down a plea offer this morning that would have capped his sentence at two- to four-years in State Prison.
Wilson would have been required to plead guilty to a felony count of criminal possession of stolen property. On Friday, his attorney, Public Defender Gary Horton, said his client sought a reduction to a misdemeanor.
District Attorney Lawrence Friedman kept the felony offer on the table, but added a sentence cap. Friedman was prepared to drop the more serious burglary, 2nd charge in order to make the plea offer valid.
Wilson said no, even after Judge Robert Noonan reminded him that if walked out of the courtroom this morning without a plea bargain, there was no second chance. His case was going to trial.
The trial is scheduled to start March 29.
If convicted, the 37-year-old Wilson, faces a possible life sentence because of his five prior felony convictions.
In New York law, some felony convictions are considered "predicate" crimes and count toward a possible life sentence on the third felony conviction. Unlike some state's so-called "three strike" laws, New York's does not mandate a life sentence.
Wilson was allegedly caught driving a car stolen from the residence.
Two of the other three defendants in the alleged burglary admit to taking part in the crime, but say Wilson was not there. A third defendant puts Wilson at the scene and part of the alleged burglary crew.
A jury will decide whom to believe.
Today, Judge Noonan issued an order of protection for one of the witnesses in the case. The witness expected to testify at the trial is not one of the other three men charged in the burglary.
This should be an interesting
This should be an interesting case to follow, with two co-defendants claiming Mr. Wilson is not guilty, and with this defendant facing a possible life sentence. I only hope he would agree to an interview or at least let "Ms. Fuchs" tell his side of the story.
He makes Tim Lee look like
He makes Tim Lee look like Mother Teresa.He doesn't even need to speak,the evil is in his eyes and mannerisms.He used to frequent the crack house at 19 Porter where "Cricket" would sell drugs from even after being convicted in September.
Mr Owens, and Mr Spencer, Mr
Mr Owens, and Mr Spencer, Mr Wilson has agreed to an interview. The only problem is you would have to make a visit with him in the County Jail. I've spoken to him and he said he is expecting you. :-)
Mr Edson, how dare you! How dare you speak about a person of whom you do not know. And how dare you judge a book by it's cover. You know nothing of him, nor of his situation! The "crack house" of which you speak, how do you know he was there? How do you know, knowing his history people such as you refused him shelter. And 19 porter was one of few places that gave a roof over his head. He also frequented my home. A college educated wife and mother. Does that make him a better person, for sitting at my table? For sharing a meal with a family, something he knows little about. Evil begets evil Mr Edson. The man i passed bread with may have the scars of his sins worn on his body, but his soul is something you can see in his eyes. Are you God to judge evil through media posts? He who is without sin cast the first stone. These cold pictures of when he was arrested, it's not evil you see, it's anger. Would anyone expect anything less from you had you been arrested for crimes you did not commit? Innocent until proven guilty, and it's people like you who make people like me loose faith in humanity. I hope, heaven for bid, that when/if the day comes where your life lays in the hands of people like yourself, they see past your judgment and "holier than tho" persona. I hope they see you for a person you have not shown here.
I am not sure who Tim Lee
I am not sure who Tim Lee is???? However I agree with Liz that you cannot judge a book by it's cover, I understand Ms. Fuchs has a better relationship with Mr. Wilson than I do and I believe in redemption and "He who is without sin cast the first stone". I would ask one question, given Mr. Wilson's LONG criminal history, and according to the DOCS website he was most recently released from prison (his fourth bid) on June 23rd, then he was stopped for driving a stolen car in Sept. (3 months later)when did this tiger change his spots?? I am not judging him, only asking when is it that he changed??
Liz, I've never gone through
Liz, I've never gone through the process of getting permission to do an interview at the jail. I'll see how to arrange that. Thank you.
Howard, I'm offering my
Howard, I'm offering my opinion for what it's worth, I'm sure you'll do what you feel is best regardless of me. This guy, Mr. Wilson has exercised his right to a trial by jury. He has the right to a fair and impartial jury. He is supposed to judged only by the material presented to them during the trial. If you interview this guy and publish it before his trial, it only serves to entertain your readers. Potential jurors could read this, so could the judge. I have no idea whether Mr. Wilson is guilty or innocent, but I'd like to have an impartial jury decide that. Interview him, but wait until after his trial to publish. Just my opinion, again for what it's worth.
Posted by Dennis Edson on
Posted by Dennis Edson on March 2, 2010 - 7:08am
He doesn't even need to speak,the evil is in his eyes and mannerisms.
Interesting way to judge people; eyes and mannerisms.
I've met people with engaging mannerisms and wonderful eyes who have turned out to be snakes.
Dave, anything he might have
Dave, anything he might have to say would only be news before the trial. There would be no point in publishing anything he said before the trial after the trial.
I believe any such story will be fair and balanced, and not every potential jurors (for a lot of factors) will read it.
One reason it's very hard for attorneys to get change of venue motions granted is because there isn't a lot of evidence that media coverage of a case has much effect on jurors.
Bea said " Interesting way to
Bea said " Interesting way to judge people; eyes and mannerisms.
I've met people with engaging mannerisms and wonderful eyes who have turned out to be snakes. "
And he grew up to be President! ( now insert your own charismatic chief executive from the last 50 years)
Bud - it's not nice to talk
Bud - it's not nice to talk about George W. like that:)
You let a convicted rapist
You let a convicted rapist and armed robber come for dinner?19 Porter is a known crack house so it's not surprising they let him stay there.
Bud, I wasn't making a
Bud, I wasn't making a political statement. I was thinking of people I have met who turned out not to be what they presented. I thought basing an opinion on what one perceives to be in the eyes is somewhat shallow.
Howard:"One reason it's very
Howard:"One reason it's very hard for attorneys to get change of venue motions granted is because there isn't a lot of evidence that media coverage of a case has much effect on jurors." That's a rather surprising admission for you to make.
Bud; That was pretty good, LOL
Should read, "hasn't much
Should read, "hasn't much effect ... "
I agree with the not speaking
I agree with the not speaking before his trial, but it is Mr Wilson's decision. I passed along the message and he made his own choice. And as i hope i have proven thus far, i stand behind his decision. Mr Edson, Just so your aware my comment was not a personal attack on you. But to answer your question yes! This being why, i know the women he was convicted of raping. I know the situation told by both sides of how it occurred. And yes i trusted an "armed robber" as u put it enough to leave him in my house ALONE eventually. And not a penny from our change jar came up missing. Like you i was skeptical of him at first, checked his background, spoke to this "victim". But never did i let that stop me from getting to know HIM. I know it is hard to look past his rugged exterior and admittedly LONG criminal history. Mr Wilson changed with the acceptance from a good family. A child that will have to look up to him, a wife who has stood behind this long convicted criminal and shouted his innocence with truth and sincerity. A family that knows the true value behind a dollar and the work it takes to get it. The honor and pride of working for it. The power behind religion. The strength to stand up for what is right. And the commitment of family bonds. All these things Mr Wilson did not know until recently. Now he is headed on the right path after a lifetime of wrong one's. I for one expect to see great things from him. I don't expect anyone to agree with me, or see him as i, his fiance and our family does. I only hope that it give the idea, that possibility that he isn't the monster so many of you think he is.
Liz, The "woman" he is
Liz,
The "woman" he is accused of raping was 14 years old, most people would say she was a young girl, too young to consent to have sex with a man who was 26 at the time (and who had already been in prison twice) I honestly commend you for being able to look past his history and get to know him for who he is today, you are a very special person and obviously have a heart for the hurting. I still wonder when this miraculous change took place--like I said he was released from his fourth bid in NYS prison in June and arrested for driving a stolen vehicle in Sept.
As far as Mr. Wilson getting a fair trial, there has already been much NEGATIVE coverage about Mr. Wilson, I don't see how a jail house interview giving him the chance to proclaim his innocents will "taint" a jury.
I am sure the prosecution has it's share of evidence and the defense has it's share of evidence. Both sides will have a chance to interview prospective jurists and will "weed out" anybody who may have been swayed prior to the trial. And, finally, the judge will instruct the jury prior to deliberations to ignore anything that comes from "outside" the evidence heard at te trial.
I completely agree with you
I completely agree with you Mr Spencer about she being to young to consent, as did he, which is why i do not disagree with his prison time previously served. However something that was little known was that the "women" met him at a bar. Which would lead anyone to believe if not anything she was 18. She lied about her age when asked, and when charged Mr Wilson didn't argue. He's plead guilty to all charges that he was in fact guilty of. If anything, that showed a glimpse of his morality to me. I agree that a fair trial is going to be difficult. But I agree with his decision of a trial. I wouldn't myself "plea out" to something i didn't do. I would guestimate around August. He met his now fiance just previous to then, was introduce to my family then as well. I myself am not a person with no flaws. But i like to think i live my life respectfully, in turn encouraging others to do the same. The power of people around you is something stronger than i can describe. Being in and out of prison his whole life made him see only one side of the coin. When he met my family it showed him a whole nother life he could have. As any person with no family, and only the streets to show them life i believe he clung, and clung greatly to the idea of a good life, a family, a home. No person has ever trusted him, believed in him, truely cared/loved him. And Since he got that i KNOW he wouldn't do anything as foolish as this to loose it. And although i know his need for a good and true life will never be enough to find him innocent i hope that his evidence will. And thank you for the compliment, truly. I believe everyone hurting needs a hand now again. I hope someday when/if i need it, i will receive the same care.