The Herald, Sharon, Pa.

Local News

December 4, 2009

UPDATE: Addiction led to crimes, defendent says

A Sandy Lake man was sentenced Friday to up to 1 1/2 years in jail for four separate cases in Mercer County over the past year.

Brian L. McNamee, 34, of 1075 Creek Road, who pleaded guilty Oct. 13, told Common Pleas Court Judge Thomas R. Dobson he had taken “the road less traveled,” a reference to a line in a poem by Robert Frost, and his actions had disgraced himself and his family.

“It is not what I ever wanted,” he said, saying he was ashamed.

McNamee was accused of twice robbing Walmart Supercenter in October 2008, for possessing an instrument of crime for using a pry bar to try to break into a garage in Mercer in November 2008, and escape for failing to return to jail after a doctor’s appointment in January.

McNamee, who said he’s fighting a drug addiction, apologized for his actions. If he weren’t an addict who needed quick money, he would have thought better before doing something wrong, he said.

“I’m not a thief. I never was. I never will be,” McNamee said.

McNamee can’t kid himself about being a thief, Dobson said, adding he’s seen many who can’t handle addiction.

“I don’t know what will happen to you but you’ve hurt a lot of people,” Dobson told him, ordering his jail time and probation be served consecutively.

McNamee was sentenced to:

ä 73 days to 1 year in Mercer County Jail followed by 1 year of probation for the Walmart robberies, plus $1,015 in restitution to the store for stealing electronics and cologne. He was given 73 days’ credit for time served.

ä 1 year of probation for the attempted garage break-in on Shenango Street.

ä 56 days to 6 months in the county lockup for the Jan. 21 escape.

ä pay $1,800 restitution for cashing a bad check July 24 at Stop and Save, Wheatland.

ä perform 50 hours of community service.

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