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Forty-year sentence given in Caroline for robbery of a paraplegic man Date published: 8/12/2009
BY PORTSIA SMITH For nearly two years, Robert Newcomb said he has been terrified to go to sleep. The 47-year-old paraplegic man from Caroline County said he sleeps during the day and moves from house to house so no one will know where he is. He said the last night he thought he was able to sleep soundly was March 19, 2008. But instead he woke up to the sound of his door being kicked down and a sawed-off shotgun pointed in his face. The man convicted of holding that gun was sentenced to 40 years in prison yesterday but Newcomb said it won't help him sleep any better. Joshua Thomas Smith, 21, was sentenced on seven convictions. He was convicted in April of robbery, burglary, use of a firearm in commission of a felony, use of a sawed-off shotgun, attempted burglary and two counts of conspiracy. Smith was a neighbor of Newcomb's when he lived in the Cedar Ridge Mobile Home Park near Corbin. Commonwealth's Attorney Tony Spencer said Smith and three others targeted Newcomb because of his disability and to steal his prescription drugs. Defense Attorney James Sumpter argued that it was "one crazy night" when his client was strung out on drugs and made a mistake. He pointed out that Smith has been drug-free for more than a year and has had time to reflect on his life. Spencer disagreed, saying it wasn't just one crazy night because Smith was convicted of another robbery and burglary in Spotsylvania that happened nine days before the Caroline incident. Smith was sentenced to six years and 10 months in that case. Sentencing guidelines called for a maximum of 27 years, but Judge Horace A. Revercomb III went beyond that. Revercomb said he doesn't usually extend a sentence to teach a lesson, but he said if a case ever cried out for a lesson, this would be it. Portsia Smith: 540/374-5419
Nicely played counselor! By all means, continue to defend the likes of this savage Smith as it will all but guarantee convictions and lengthy incarcerations.
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