An Ellicott Street resident is facing at least two years in prison after pleading guilty to criminal mischief, 2nd, in Genesee County Court on Monday.
Paul C. Wapniewski, 55, was accused of burglarizing Delavan's Restaurant on Evans Street.
In the course of the crime, Wapniewski allegedly caused more than $2,500 damage to the property.
According to District Attorney Lawrence Friedman, Wapniewski cut himself on broken glass when entering the building and the blood evidence found there connected Wapniewski to the scene. Friedman said the DNA test demonstrates a mere one in 300 billion chance of the DNA being from the blood of a person other than Wapniewski.
Friedman discussed the evidence prior to Wapniewski's guilty plea because Wapniewski was entering what is known as an "Alford Plea."
When a defendant enter's an "Alford Plea" he is not admitting to the crime, just pleading guilty to the charge with the knowledge that the evidence against him would likely lead to a jury finding him guilty, and if so, would likely lead to a harsher sentence.
As a second felony offender, prison time is mandatory for Wapniewski, and sentencing guidelines means Wapniewski is facing from two to four years in state prison.
