Instead of going to trial, a Mahanoy City woman admitted Monday in Schuylkill County Court that she stole items last August from a Shenandoah supermarket.
Nicole L. Kressler, 28, pleaded guilty to retail theft and will spend 23 months on probation and pay costs, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $22.85 restitution under the terms of Judge John E. Domalakes' sentence.
"You have a somewhat checkered past," Domalakes, who noted that this was Kressler's third retail theft offense, told the defendant. "You're getting a break here."
Assistant Public Defender Kent D. Watkins, Kressler's lawyer, had asked for probation for his client, and Assistant District Attorney James E. Crossen III did not oppose that request.
"We ask that she be given another chance," Watkins told Domalakes.
Shenandoah police had charged Kressler with stealing about $39 worth of lunch meat and other items on Aug. 14 from Redner's Warehouse Market in the Gold Star Plaza, Route 924, in the borough.
Prosecutors and Kressler already had picked the jury that would have heard her trial, which had been scheduled to start Monday morning. After Kressler left the courtroom, Domalakes, who had been scheduled to preside over the trial, brought the jurors back and told them about her plea and sentence.
Also on Monday, Judge Jacqueline L. Russell admitted a Minersville man into a special probationary program that will allow him to clear his record if he successfully completes it.
Frederick P. Dando, 71, is charged with resisting arrest. Minersville police alleged he committed that offense on Sept. 8, 2011, in the borough.
If Dando successfully completes the Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition program, he can have the resisting arrest charge dismissed.
Prosecutors dropped a charge of driving under the influence, while Dando pleaded guilty to a summary one of accident involving damage to unattended vehicle or property. On that charge, Russell, who had been scheduled to preside over Dando's nonjury trial on Monday, ordered the defendant to pay costs and a $300 fine.
In other recent county court action, Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin accepted guilty pleas from, and imposed the indicated sentences on, these defendants:
Daniel P. Reber, 34, of Schuylkill Haven; simple assault and smelling or inhaling toxic releasing substances; 11 days to 12 months in prison, $100 in payments to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and submission of a DNA sample to law enforcement authorities. Prosecutors dropped a charge of recklessly endangering another person.
Daniel P. Ruch, 31, of Fleetwood; harassment, criminal mischief, criminal trespass and public drunkenness; $100 in fines. Prosecutors dropped charges of defiant trespass and disorderly conduct.
Brittany M. Shadle, 20, of Tremont; possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia; 12 months probation, $100 payment to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 CJEA payment and $226 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.
Michael D. Starr, 40, of Brockton; DUI; 48 hours to six months in prison; $500 fine, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors dropped a charge of driving without lights.
Brian R. Viechec, 32, of Freeland; conspiracy, theft and receiving stolen property; one to two years in a state correctional institution, $50 CJEA payment and $12,635 restitution. Prosecutors dropped a charge of defiant trespass.
Khyle W. Willis, 20, of Schuylkill Haven; DUI, disregarding traffic lane and seat belt violation; 48 hours to six months in prison, $535 in fines, $100 SAEF payment and $50 CJEA payment. Prosecutors dropped charges of purchase, consumption, possession or transportation of an intoxicating beverage and careless driving.
Brian L. Wolfe, 36, of Lehighton; DUI; five days to six months in prison, $300 fine and $100 SAEF payment. Prosecutors dropped a charge of disorderly conduct.
All defendants who were sentenced must pay costs as a part of their sentences.