A bank teller robbed in Spotsylvania County last year says the man who pleaded guilty to the crime needs to be locked up for a long time.
But she'll have to wait to hear the punishment.
Proceedings were delayed yet again yesterday in the case of the May 14, 2004, robbery of the BB&T branch on State Route 3 near the old Wal-Mart building.
Sherman L. Shelton Jr., a 35-year-old Richmond man, pleaded guilty in April to robbing and threatening to bomb the bank. But yesterday--the date scheduled for sentencing--Shelton told Circuit Judge Ann Hunter Simpson that he wanted to withdraw the plea.
Shelton testified that his attorneys told him he'd get no more than 5 years if he pleaded. He said that unfairly influenced him, and he asked for a jury trial.
Robbery is punishable by up to life in prison. Spotsylvania prosecutor John C. Bowers said sentencing guidelines call for Shelton to get up to 7 years.
The judge denied Shelton's request, determining the plea was made freely and voluntarily. But Simpson continued the sentencing until Nov. 14--at which time some of Shelton's family members will likely testify.
The case had previously been delayed several times, including in March, when Shelton collapsed and was taken to Mary Washington Hospital just before his trial was to start. He later pleaded guilty after a jury was selected, but before opening arguments. He's had two different attorneys and at one point said he would represent himself.
Bowers said the delays have been hard on the bank teller, who has attended many of the hearings. She was allowed to testify yesterday to get it over with.
The woman testified that Shelton walked up and gave her a note saying he had a bomb, that he knew where she lived and that he wanted money. She gave him a bag with about $1,500 and orange-red dye packs.
The packs exploded as the robber fled, staining him and shredding much of the money. A T-shirt with a dye stain was found on the ground in the area of Bragg Road and was turned in to authorities.
Shelton's DNA was later found on the shirt, according to the evidence. He was arrested after police followed him from Richmond to the Massaponax area.
Bowers said Shelton faces four bank robbery charges in other jurisdictions.
The teller told the judge yesterday that Shelton should spend a long time in prison. She said she has undergone counseling, but her stomach turns every time somebody approaches the bank counter holding a note.
"I feel like he has no right to do that to anyone else," she testified.
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