A Rochester man with 12 prior convictions, including five felonies, rejected a plea offer Wednesday from the Genesee County District Attorney and will go to trial instead.
Reginald Wilson was arrested back in September for allegedly breaking into a home on State Street and was charged with burglary in the 2nd and criminal possession of stolen property. He was reportedly caught driving a vehicle stolen from the residence.
Because of his priors, Judge Robert Noonan initially refused bail to Wilson. But in November, Noonan offered him $100,000 bail or $200,000 bond. He remains in custody.
Yesterday, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman offered Wilson the chance to plead guilty to a class D violent felony in the second degree with sentencing as a second felony offender instead of a persistent offender. If convicted as a persistent offender, Wilson could serve a life sentence.
Wilson nixed the offer and a trial date was set for March 29, with a pretrial conference at 9:30 a.m. and jury selection at 10.
Shackled, wearing orange jail garb, his hair in tiny dreadlock braids, Wilson looked over his right shoulder a couple of times during his brief courtroom appearance. He scanned the gallery for friends or family but there were none.
The judge set a cut-off time at which the DA's offer is off the table for good. It's 11 a.m. Feb. 26.
Wow, good one. When you're
Wow, good one. When you're sentenced to life as a persistent felon, I'm going to ask you: "So how's that workin' out for you?"
None of your family showed. What does that tell you?
This guy is a textbook
This guy is a textbook example of why persistent felony offenders should get life in prison. 12 prior convictions, including five felonies, I checked the NYS Dept. of Correction website (http://www.docs.state.ny.us/) he has been in and out of prison since 1993, four times, 3 of them robberies, one rape of a 14 year old girl, he is a registered sex offender. The DA and the judge have a obligation to society to put him away for life, the next house he robs, he might kill somebody. This guy has nothing to lose, that is why he is going to trial. He'll either get a 20 sentence or life, makes no difference to him.
I think I'd have to agree
I think I'd have to agree with that. Trial is this guy's only chance at freedom. I try like hell not to make up my mind without knowing all the facts but.....damn.
Howard, This story does not
Howard,
This story does not mention the amount of time that Mr.Wilson would have to do if he accepted the plea bargain.Also, if he is convicted of the burglary 2nd and possession of stolen property (without the persistent felony aspect) how much time is he looking at? I think an earlier post indicated that NY state has yet to use the persistent felon law, so does the DA think this will be successful?
Just wondering....
My bad...I went back and read
My bad...I went back and read the earlier post:
"After today's hearing, Public Defender Gary Horton said that in all his years of practice, only twice has he seen three-time felony convicts sent to prison for life. He said it's an option for prosecutors -- which can be sought only after the third felony conviction -- that is rarely used."
This is still an text book case as far as I am concerned, given that Mr. Wilson's felonies have all been violent in nature, he has no regard for society and will probably only become worse if he is ever to be returned to society.