NORWICH – Three felony burglary cases were heard Monday, Dec. 7, in Chenango County Court.
County Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr. presided over each case while Assistant District Attorney Laura Parker was present on behalf of the people.
• Anthony W. Irwin, 55, of Greene was present in court with his attorney John Cameron.
It is alleged that Irwin was previously arrested after he allegedly stole $1,700 in cash register receipts.
Cameron once again waived the right to be prosecuted by a grand jury, per Irwin's request, instead choosing to be issued a superier court information (SCI) from the District Attorney’s Office.
Revoir then read the three charges into the record from the SCI charging Irwin with a class D felony of burglary in the third; a class E felony of grand larceny in the fourth degree; and the class A misdemeanor of petit larceny.
I would ask that you waive the reading of all the allegations and we will enter not guilty pleas to all counts.
Parker then filed her affidavit of service and notice of intent for trial to the court before saying, “we ask that bail be maintained at $10,000 which was set by the Greene Court. He has ties to Broome County, prior felonies and misdemeanors, as well as an out of state FBI hit with 10 different aliases.”
“My client appeared today, and very well dressed. He is employed full-time, and lives with his wife who has some disabilities. He wants to be able to assist her, he has had some problems, so I ask that he be released with some alcohol and drug conditions added,” said Cameron.
Revoir then inquired if bail had been posted.
“He was released after serving 45 days in jail, he is a Broome County resident,” answered Cameron.
“I will release you today, or ROR you. This is a big leap of faith I am taking if what Ms. Parker and the District Attorney's office has said is true. But you have been released and have gained employment, there will be drug and alcohol testing though,” said Revoir.
Irwin was instructed to report to Jim Everard following courts conclusion, so he can begin monitoring the situation.
Irwin reportedly is currently receiving treatment at the New Horizons treatment center in Binghamton.
“I've had a bad relapse, so they will probably put me in inpatient for 30 days,” stated Irwin.
Parker asked that the last condition of his release be to stay away from the victim in the matter, which Revoir agreed to as a condition.
• Travis L. Demuth, 23, of North Norwich was also present in court with John Cameron representing him.
Demuth was previously arrested after he allegedly stole a Flat Screen Television, Play Station 2, DVD Player, and an assortment of jewelry.
Cameron waived the right to be prosecuted by indictment of a grand jury at this time.
Revoir then read the two count superior court information charging Demuth with a class D felony of burglary in the third degree; and a class A misdemeanor of petit larceny.
A reading of the full indictment was waived and not guilty pleas were entered to both charges.
Parker then filed her affidavit of service and notice of intent for trial to the court before saying, “the people ask that the previous amount of $5,000 cash be kept. He has had five different addresses in the past five years and a sixth was just reported today.”
Cameron responded, “Mr. Demuth was in jail for 45 days and released. I ask he be ROR'd today and ask that he meet with Jim Everard as a condition. My client does have issues with drugs.”
Parker asked that if he did get released that he stay away from the victim in the matter, to which Revoir agreed with.
“Generally if it is a felony then I set bail, but I did release you before. So I will continue the ROR status,” said Revoir.
Revoir instructed Demuth report immediately to Jim Everard to begin monitoring and testing for drugs, following courts conclusion.
• Kendra M. McLain, 31, of Sherburne was in court with her attorney John Cameron.
McLain is currently incarcerated in the Chenango County Correction Facility.
It is alleged that McLain forged checks in the amount of $300, and $500 while also stealing $1,450 from the victim.
Cameron, per McLain's approval, began by waiving McLain's right to indictment by a grand jury, and rather chose to be indicted by SCI from the District Attorney’s Office.
Revoir then read the four charges into the record from the SCI charging McLain with a class C felony of burglary in the second degree; two counts of a class D felony for forgery in the second degree; and the class E felony of grand larceny.
Cameron waived a full reading of the indictments and entered not guilty pleas to all four charges.
Parker then filed her affidavit of service and notice of intent for trial before stating, “the people ask to maintain the $10,000 cash bail, due to her only having one misdemeanor. She has had two prior addresses which she was not able to be found at, so it was a run around. So to ensure she return to court if she posts bail, we ask it to stay the same.”
Revoir alleged that the court will keep the bail at $10,000 cash or $20,000 bond.
“She has an address in Pennsylvania,” said Cameron.
This effectively places McLain as homeless in this area if she were to be released.
“If you are in fact released and bail is posted, you must report to the court and your attorney to make arrangements for where you will be living,” said Revoir.
The pre plea process was signed and is in motion for this matter.
“We have a lot of thefts in the community,” said Chenango County District Attorney Joseph McBride at a drug panel discussion at the Guernsey Memorial Library in early December. “Not a direct correlation, but usually because there is a drug problem.”