Reginald Wilson may have a long criminal history, he may even have been caught driving an allegedly stolen vehicle, but that doesn't mean he did the crime this time.
Two of the other men who are accused of breaking into a State Street home in Batavia in early September have made sworn statements, according to Judge Robert Noonan, admitting to their participation in the burglary, but they say Wilson wasn't part of the crew.
One other suspect in the burglary has said the 37-year-old Wilson helped in the break-in.
Today, Wilson, who faces a possible life sentence because of multiple prior felony convictions, had to answer to a deadline on whether he would accept a plea offer or take his case to trial.
The offer: A felony count of possession of stolen property with no sentencing agreement.
Wilson turned down the offer.
His attorney, Public Defender Gary Horton, countered with a misdemeanor charge of possession, but that proposal, like District Attorney Lawrence Friedman's offer, faces a legal technicality. Because Wilson is charged with a Class C felony, he can't be offered a plea on a greatly reduced charge unless Friedman asks to have the original count dismissed. Friedman hasn't done that yet.
"I’m not interested in entertaining an illegal plea from either one of you, so thanks for turning it down, Mr. Wilson," Noonan said.
The two attorneys and Noonan agreed to extend the deadline for Wilson to accept a plea to 9 a.m., Monday.
Wilson, who was shackled and dressed in Genesee County Jail orange, was fairly animated during the proceeding, especially when conferring with his attorney. While Friedman and Horton were talking privately with Noonan, Wilson leaned over and tried to get First Asst. D.A. David Gann's attention to say, "hello, Mr. Gann."
After Noonan granted an extension on the plea deadline, Wilson said emphatically, "Thank you, Your Honor," before leaving the courtroom.
Prior to Wilson's hearing, Joseph D. Dash, 24, who was also arrested in connection with the State Street burglary, admitted to a prior attempted burglary in exchange for a dismissal of charges in the State Street crime as well as another burglary, which Dash hadn't been charged with yet, on Pringle Avenue.
Dash has a prior felony conviction -- attempted robbery, 2nd -- from March 2003. With that prior felony, Dash faces a 5- to 7-year sentence on the attempted burglary conviction.
The other two suspects in the State Street burglary are Quentin L. Gibson, 25, and Dillon M. Brito, 19. We don't have any information at this time on the status of their cases.
Photos: Top, Wilson; bottom, Dash.
I can't stand plea bargains.
I can't stand plea bargains. I understand their purpose - speeding up the process. You have to question a process that allows a person with multiple felonies to get a reduced sentence simply in the interest of expediency.
I just wanted to thank you Mr
I just wanted to thank you Mr Owens. I know in high interest cases, such as this, it's easy to get stuck on the easier side. Which is obviously believe a man with his history did this. If i had not known him, i would have fallen in line right along with the rest of Batavia. But it is refreshing to know that somebody not only looked at it as a possability, but pronounced the possability of his innocense. I couldn't give out things that helped me to know his innocense, such as the statements from the guilty parties, But i am happy that it is out there now. Thank you, for taking time and going to his hearing. Thank you for taking interest in a man whom is fighting for his life, with little on his side. And thank you for helping even one of your readers to understand that all "easy" paths, are occaionally not the correct one's.
Ms. Fuchs, All the jury needs
Ms. Fuchs,
All the jury needs is a reasonable doubt, if 2 of the co-defendants report that Mr. Wilson did not take part in the burglary that may be reasonable doubt, I for one have been interested in this case, and will be watching with lots of interest. Hopefully the truth, whatever that is, will be reviewed.