It doesn’t happen often, but occasionally Judge Tim Chambers will order those convicted in burglary cases to apologize to victims of the their crimes.
That was the case Friday morning when he ordered 20-year-old Justin Brasher to go to a youth group he stole from and apologize for his crime.
Brasher was convicted of burglary, felony theft and possession of stolen property. However, he had been charged originally with two additional counts including felony theft and auto burglary The crimes occurring back in September and October of 2012.
The state requested that he be sentenced to 21-months for the burglary conviction and 6-months for felony theft and 6-months for possession of stolen property. Senior Assistant District Attorney Steve Maxwell then asked that he be ordered to serve the sentence, in part because of other convictions for burglary and theft in a number of area counties. The defense asked for a departure because of his age at the time of the crimes, as well as him working 12-hour days at a job in McPherson. Public Defender Jesse Landes also told the judge that Brasher is living with family in Lindsborg.
Judge Chambers said he would give Brasher one chance on community corrections for 24-months on an underlying sentence of 21-months for all three convictions but warned him, one slip up, he would be sent to prison. He also ordered Brasher to apologize to a youth group he apparently stole from.
Brasher is already on corrections in McPherson County for three burglary and two theft convictions for crimes in McPherson, Marion, and Saline counties.