NORWICH— A Coventry man pleaded guilty to the class D felony of burglary in the third degree after stealing from a man he had worked for, and at his sentencing the victim requested the defendant be allowed to work and serve weekends.
On June 10, 2014, 33-year-old James E. Fletcher of Coventry was arrested by the Chenango County Sheriff’s Office and charged with the class C felony of burglary in the second degree.
It was alleged Fletcher unlawfully entered the residence of a man he had done work for and stole thousands of dollars worth of jewelry, among other items.
Fletcher pleaded guilty to the reduced charge of burglary in the third degree, a class D felony, this year and was promised a split sentence of six months of incarceration and five years of probation.
Recently, Fletcher reappeared in Chenango County Court to be sentenced, and the victim he stole from, William Metch, also appeared in court.
According to Fletcher, he was hired to work at a local manufacturing plant in April. He hoped to keep his job and continue working.
“He helped the victim out at his house,” said Joseph A. McBride. “At some point, he went to the victim's house without permission and stole jewelry and other items.”
“Because of mitigating factors and by the grace of God, he is not going to prison ... The victim will never, ever recover and never be the same because of what happened in this case,” he added.
McBride said he agreed that the court allow Fletcher to work, like he said the victim wanted, and pay back restitution to the victim.
Metch said all of the jewelry that was stolen and recovered by police at a pawn shop was not returned. He said he would like it to be paid the restitution of $3,250 for the remaining items that were not returned.
Regarding Fletcher, Metch said, “I think he can be returned to society as a working individual. I think that would be good.”
Fletcher's attorney said his client feels bad about betraying Metch and appreciates Metch allowing him to do weekends. He also said Fletcher agrees to pay the $3,250 in restitution.
“I just would like to say one thing,” said Fletcher. “I have worked really hard to improve myself. I just would like to ask for a slight bit of leniency.”
Fletcher requested that he be allowed to work the weekend of his sentencing, before beginning his weekends of incarceration, to make up the hours he had missed working in order to appear in court.
“If I am working. I would be able to pay it back quicker,” he added.
Judge Frank B. Revoir, Jr. said, “They are advocating that you receive weekends because you are going to pay the restitution, which is a significant part of this sentence.”
Revoir said he would allow Fletcher to work the weekend of his sentencing and start his weekends of incarceration the following weekend.
Fletcher was sentenced to four months of weekends of incarceration at the Chenango County Correctional Facility and five years of probation, less time spent incarcerated.
Per the request of Metch, an order of protection was not issued.