NORWICH – Three people appeared in Chenango County Court yesterday for a plea, arraignment and violation of probation.
• Jamar M. Hickman, 27, without permanent residence, appeared in court for his plea/sentencing and changed his plea from not guilty to guilty. Before pleading, his attorney Linden Summers requested that Hickman be given time to view the police video related to the case, which he had not been able to view prior to his appearance due to technical issues. A conference was also held before the plea was presented at court.
With the change in plea, District Attorney Joseph McBride dropped the first and second counts of the indictment against Hickman. As a result, he is now facing a charge of resisting arrest, a class A misdemeanor. Upon sentencing of this charge, Hickman could face one year in Chenango County Correctional Facility, have to submit a DNA sample and pay a mandatory fee and surcharge of $200 (due one year after his release). Hickman has been incarcerated since November 2013 – time which will be counted towards his required incarceration when sentenced. He was remanded to CCCF after court was adjourned following a pre-sentence report request.
Allegedly, on November 11, 2013, in Norwich, Hickman was arrested for attempting to resist arrest after he led police on a foot chase. He also continued to resist police after he was apprehended and refused to put his hands behind his head. His original charges were burglary in the second degree, a class C felony; assault in the second degree, a class D felony; resisting arrest, a class A misdemeanor; and assault in the third degree, a class A misdemeanor.
According to a prior Evening Sun report, Hickman has three previous felony convictions and four previous drug related convictions.
The report cited McBride as saying, “The defendant is looking at 25 years to life. He allegedly broke into someone’s house and beat someone up.”
• Timothy M. Norris, 33, Oxford, appeared in court for a violation of probation hearing. In return for admissions of guilt to the violation of his probation, the terms of Norris' probation were restored and he was also required to enroll in and successfully complete the drug treatment court program. Norris was remanded back to CCCF for the rest of the day. He was released Monday evening and required to report to the drug court treatment coordinator by 9 a.m. on Tuesday morning.
Norris admitted to violating a condition of his probation that required him to have an ignition interlock device installed on a vehicle of which he held the title. Norris has since transferred the title over to another party and expressed his gratitude to Honorable Chenango County Judge Frank Revoir, Jr. for being allowed parol.
According to a previous Evening Sun article, Norris was arrested in Oxford on July 6, 2013, when he allegedly unlawfully operated a vehicle while knowing or having reason to know that his New York driver's license was revoked or suspended and while under the influence of alcohol.
“It is also alleged that Norris was observed swaying while he walked, speaking with a slurred voice, having bloodshot and watery eyes, and smelling strongly of alcohol prior to his arrest,” read the article.
“This is a terrific break from the court,” said McBride to Norris. “If you violate again you will face one and a third to four years (in prison).”
Revoir addressed Norris and said, “You have been given tools and strategies to combat this addiction... (and hopefully) will never go back to a life of crime.”
• Andrew L. Howe, 28, Norwich, appeared in court for his arraignment and pleaded not guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a class B felony and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a class A misdemeanor.
McBride requested that Howe report to the drug court treatment coordinator and did not request more bail to be set. A pre-plea investigation was ordered and Howe was released on his own recognizance. Revoir reminded Howe to not violate the law, submit to drug and alcohol counseling, random urine analysis, report to drug treatment court and also requested that Howe document all of his medical issues.