NORWICH – Cases involving cocaine, heroin and the manufacture of methamphetamine were heard throughout the day this past Monday in Chenango County Court.
Judge Frank B. Revoir Jr. was the Chenango County Court Judge presiding over each of the cases.
District Attorney Joseph A. McBride was present on behalf of the people.
• Mary E. Franklin, of Norwich was in court to answer to her charge of criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Franklin was present with her attorney, Donald Kelly.
Kelly indicated that his client did intend to enter a plea of guilty to the charge.
Revoir read the indictment, “The third count of the indictment is criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree, a class A misdemeanor. On January 8, 2014 in Norwich on County Road 32 while in concert with others you were found to be in possession of the controlled substance cocaine.”
Franklin did plea guilty to this charge at this time.
McBride then asked to proceed to sentencing despite the pre plea investigation process being old. This action was not opposed by either the prosecution or defense.
“This is your first arrest, you were found in a car with two other drug dealers who are now in state prison. You have cooperated and turned your life around since then, this is why you are able to plea to the lesser charge of the indictment today. I have no problem letter her plea to the misdemeanor charge, to show that she has been successful this far,” said McBride.
Kelly then spoke on behalf of his client, “I just want the court and the people to know the tremendous strides that Ms. Franklin has made. She is even involved with helping others with their drug problems now.”
“This is an epidemic in New York and all over the country. You have no rap sheet, it just seems that you got caught up in the wrong crowd. You’ve stepped up and engaged in treatment, you have even started your own AA group, so that has all been factored in,” added Revoir.
Franklin was sentenced to three years probation on this charge.
A DNA fee of $50 was imposed but no other fines fees or surcharges were added on.
All bail was exonerated at this time and a written waiver of appeal was signed.
• Brandon M. Birch, of Harpursville appeared in Chenango County Court with his attorney Alyssa Congdon in order for a possible change of plea and sentencing.
Birch was present in court to answer to the charge of the first count of his indictment, criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree, a class B felony.
Congdon did inform the court that Birch was reader to change his plea and move to sentencing.
