Darrell Bruce Reid, 45, of 4 N. Main St., Holley, came to court this morning, apparently ready to plead guilty to assault in the second degree -- a charge stemming from an alleged robbery in Byron in which Reid allegedly stole three long guns.
But the guilty plea process didn't proceed like clockwork, which is usually the case.
First, Reid had a protracted whisper conversation with his public defender, William Teford, when Judge Robert C. Noonan informed Reid of the maximum penalty -- four years in State Prison -- for the assault, 2nd, charge he was about to admit.
After the conversation, Reid softly said, "yes" to Noonan, acknowledging the Judge's warning.
Noonan made note for the record of the long conversation.
A few minutes later, Reid entered his guilty plea and made a factual admission to hitting a Byron resident with a 22-caliber rifle.
At the end of the hearing, Assistant District Attorney Kevin Finnell asked the judge to make the factual finding that the assault, 2nd, charge is a second felony offense. But when Judge Noonan reviewed the paperwork, he noted that the only prior conviction listed was a 22-year-old DWI conviction. That can't count as a second felony offense for sentencing purposes under state law.
Finnell said it was a mistake and that he would have further information today on Reid's criminal history.
During Reid's last court appearance, on May 3, Noonan noted that Reid had more than 100 prior arrests.
If it turns out there are no qualifying felony convictions within Reid's recent history, his guilty plea this morning will not be valid, according to Noonan.
Another appearance in County Court for Reid was set for later this week.
