NORWICH— A Greene woman, who was shot at during a domestic dispute and charged with possessing methamphetamine in the summer of 2013, was sentenced more than a year later.
In Aug. of 2013, Kimberly Haughton was charged with unlawful manufacturing of methamphetamine in the third degree, a class D felony; criminal possession of precursors of methamphetamine, a class E felony; and criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a class A misdemeanor.
It is alleged on Aug. 1 – at approximately 2:30 p.m. – at 309 County Route 7 in the Town of McDonough, Haughton was found to be in possession of three grams of methamphetamine. The controlled substance was found in her pocket book following an investigation of a shooting at the McDonough residence.
Connie B. Hendrickson, 48, Greene, was staying at the McDonough residence when she got into a domestic dispute with her ex-boyfriend, Glenn E. O'Connor, 46, Greene, and Haughton. Hendrickson allegedly fired an SKS rifle at O'Connor and Haughton.
Hendrickson fired six shots total. Three of the shots hit Haughton's vehicle but no one was injured. District Attorney Joseph A. McBride said Haughton was lucky her vehicle stopped the bullets before they hit her.
After the shooting, the Chenango County Sheriff's Office found precursors, solvents and chemical reagents used in the manufacturing of methamphetamine inside Haughton's vehicle. They also found the finished methamphetamine product. Although the findings indicated the preparation for or recent completion of a cook, authorities do not believe Haughton was actively involved in the cook.
Haughton, 30, pleaded guilty to criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a class B felony, on Nov. 20 in Chenango County Court.
While Haughton was awaiting sentencing, she was under the supervision of James Everard, the Chenango County Drug Court Coordinator. Everard had told the people and the court that Haughton was clean and had been “doing very well.”
First Assistant District Attorney Michael D. Ferrarese said they offered the minimum sentence allowable to Haughton for her plea, because she did well under Everard and had been a victim of a crime herself the day she was arrested.
Despite admitting her involvement in the crime and being offered the minimum sentence, Haughton protested before pleading guilty and signing the deal. “I don't feel I have been represented well from the beginning. I don't feel I have been involved,” said Haughton.
Haughton's public defender, Lindon Summers said, “I don't feel comfortable with her signing it then, judge.”
Ferrarese said Haughton may not like her lawyer but that Summers has argued on her behalf on multiple occasions. “She could go to prison for nine years. Several concessions were made,” added Ferrarese.
Ferrarese also said the only reason the minimum offer was made was because of the positive report Haughton received from Everard and the fact she was a drug user, not a drug dealer. He said the case has been “open for awhile,” and they have waited long enough.
Haughton began crying and said she still does not feel she has been well represented but she will sign the deal. “I don't know where else I would go. It feels like I am being bullied into this,” said Haughton.
“You face up to nine years in prison. To suggest this isn't a fair offer or we haven't spent enough time reviewing this case is absolutely an insult. If you want to take this to trial, fine. Hopefully you will get a sentence a lot longer than a probation period,” said Ferrarese to Haughton.
Summers said he did not want to get into a “doomsday situation” and if Haughton wanted a different lawyer to review her case in order to get a second opinion, then she should.
Judge Frank B. Revoir, Jr. told Haughton that it is not uncommon for defendants to not like their lawyers, but it does not mean the lawyers have not done their job. He also said Ferrarese is right in saying Summers has argued several times on her behalf and that the offer is the least intrusive offer allowable.
“I think you would be dissatisfied with anything other than taking this to trial and be acquitted by a jury, but there is always a risk in taking a case to trial,” said Revoir.
“I didn't mean any offense to the courts. Thank you for the opportunity to rehabilitate myself and this situation,” said Haughton.
“We are working for you. Not against you. So you can live a long, happy life,” said Ferrarese to Haughton. “You are going to be a mother soon.”
Revoir said he agreed with Ferrarese and that “justice is being done.” He also said short of a jury finding her not guilty, it was the “best scenario” she could hope for.
Haughton was sentenced to five years probation including drug court, which she is required to complete as part of her sentence.