NORWICH – After spending five days in juvenile detention centers, three youths accused of vandalizing two buildings and causing over $200,000 in damages, admitted to one of the allegations against them and will return home to their parents.
With defense attorneys John Cameron, Adam Spence and Paul Tompkins representing the Norwich teens, the three boys stood before Family Court Judge W. Howard Sullivan Wednesday. Prosecuting the case is Frank Revoir, Jr.
The three youths, who last week denied the accusations brought against them, all admitted to the first count of third degree burglary in connection with the burglary and vandalism taking place the South Broad Street Norwich Jewish Center at approximately 5 p.m. April 6.
Another petition filed by Revoir indicates the youths could also face prosecution of criminal mischief in the fourth degree. The petition filed last week is in reference to a break-in that occurred the same day at the Chenango County Council of the Arts building, 27 W. Main St. All three defendants denied that allegation and it was adjourned by the court.
According to their attorneys, all three defendants showed positive attitudes and were well behaved during their brief incarceration at the juvenile detention centers.
Before deciding to allow the three young men to return to the community, Sullivan indicated he had to be sure the defendants – as well as their families – were ready to obey the rules he would set forth.
“Since the family has been aware my client’s charges, his family has been dropping him off at school, picking him up from school and all extracurricular activities minus one have been cut off,” said attorney Spence. “My client is deeply ashamed and remorseful,” he said.
Cameron told the court his client would be under close supervision of his mother and she was contemplating removing her son from any after school activities.
“My client would not be unsupervised at any time,” said Tompkins. “He is ashamed of his actions,” he said.
Sullivan ordered a pre-dispositional report to be done within the next 50 days prior to sentencing. Each defendant will be fully evaluated by the county’s probation department. Victim impact statements will also be gathered before final sentencing.
All three boys were to return to their homes pending sentencing, with a lengthy list of rules and conditions set forth by Sullivan.
“You have to attend school, every day unless you are an in-patient at the hospital; obey all the rules at school, at home, everywhere; no extracurricular activities including track; be gentlemen;do not associate with each other at all; take no part in any kind of acts of crime and stay away from the vicinity of the Council of the Arts building and the Jewish Center,” said Sullivan.
The judge also implemented a 7 p.m. curfew on school nights and a 9 p.m., curfew on non-school nights for each defendant unless they are accompanied by family.
“What you do between now and the time you come back will decide what will happen when you come back,” said the judge. “You need to address the harm you caused and the depth and nature of what you did.”