Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, August 25, 1995 TAG: 9508250100
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: B-3 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: LAURENCE HAMMACK
DATELINE: LENGTH: Short
Wilson, who sometimes polishes his shoes two or three times a day, received the sentence Thursday for a burglary in which he paused long enough to shine his shoes - leaving a can of shoe polish and a personalized rag behind.
The polish and rag were introduced as evidence during Wilson's trial in March, as prosecutor Joel Branscom argued that breaking into a Southwest Roanoke home created a "great probability of shoe damage."
Wilson had denied taking about $5,000 worth of jewelry from the Tillett Road home, saying that the occupant had invited him inside. He probably did polish his shoes while he was there, Wilson said, as part of a habit he picked up from his days in the military.
After the burglary, police discovered a can of shoe polish and a rag bearing Wilson's initials on the living-room floor of the home.
Roanoke Circuit Judge Robert P. Doherty had earlier convicted Wilson, 40, of breaking and entering and grand larceny, and sentenced him Thursday to three years in prison.
Assistant Public Defender William Fitzpatrick had asked for a lighter prison sentence and counseling to deal with what they called Wilson's mental problems and substance abuse.
by CNB