NORWICH – A Coventry man began his trial Tuesday, but pleaded guilty to the top count against after an eyewitness identified him on the stand.

William Lerwick, 59, pleaded guilty to third degree felony mischief for removing around $1,000 worth copper wiring from railroad signal boxes to sell as scrap on Aug. 29, 2007.

“He and his attorney saw the writing on the wall,” said First Assistant Stephen M. Dunshee, after a witness took the stand testifying that she not only saw Lerwick remove the copper from the property, but also presented photographs she took of him, allegedly showing him in the act.