NORWICH – Rehabilitation was the theme for Chenango County court on Friday, Nov. 8 in Norwich. Chenango County Court Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr. and First Assistant D.A. Stephen M. Dunshee showed mercy on one of the male defendents and praised another for being reformed.
• Donald Benedict, Jr., Norwich, plead guilty to the class E felony of driving while intoxicated. This was not the first time Benedict was charged with a DWI. He was convicted of the same crime on April 23, 2008.
During sentencing, Dunshee said, “Judge, I just want to say that this is an H-E-double-hockey-sticks of a deal, especially because of his prior convictions. He has been convicted of four felonies in his lifetime and this is his second felony in the last five years.”
Benedict was sentenced to a mandatory one-year incarceration at the Chenango County Correctional Facility and charged a total of $1,570 in fees. Following his release, his driving privileges will be revoked for one year, and he will be subject to two years in the ignition interlock program once his driving privileges are reinstated.
Benedict admitted to being intoxicated before driving and said he should not have been operating a vehicle. Officers reported that he swayed as he walked, had slurred speech and his breath smelled of an alcoholic beverage.
Revoir agreed with Dunshee and speaking to Benedict said, “This is a very favorable disposition for you. It was because of your attorney (John Cameron) advocating for you that the D.A. and I gave in. We factored in your age and retirement. You are too old to be doing this.”
After reviewing his finances, Revoir lowered Benedict's responsibility for his fines to 25 percent. Benedict said, “Thank you. I appreciate it.” to the judge.
“Hopefully this is the end of your driving while intoxicated and that you are aware of the consequences of doing it again. You have used up your ‘nine lives’ as they say. Good luck,” said Revoir to Benedict.
