Convicted Robber Faces 70 Years
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
A Fort Wayne man convicted of armed robbery Feb. 22 will spend 70 years in prison.
During a three-day trial in February, a jury found Richard A. Mitchell, 45, of Fort Wayne, guilty of armed robbery, being a serious violent felon in possession of a handgun and being a habitual felony offender. Mitchell robbed Stimmelators Gentlemen's Club, North Webster, with a gun Aug. 12, 2003.
Before Judge Rex Reed handed down the sentence Thursday, Mitchell addressed the court.
"I cannot be remorseful for something I did not do," Mitchell said, adding that he should be home with his bride instead of sitting in jail.
Mitchell said his wife and his parents were victims of his incarceration and said he missed several family events while in jail.
After Mitchell's address in Kosciusko Circuit Court, Judge Reed explained the aggravating and mitigating factors he considered in determining the sentence.
The main aggravating factor in the case was Mitchell's history of criminal or delinquent behavior. Mitchell served time in the Indiana Department of Corrections for several offenses, including theft and arson. Judge Reed specified three incidents and said there were at least four other serious criminal matters in his past.
Judge Reed said of the 11 statutory mitigating factors, the only one that would possibly be applicable was that Mitchell's incarceration could cause a hardship for his wife Gudren.
However, in the end, Judge Reed said the aggravating factor "so outweighs the mitigating" that Mitchell received the maximum sentence for each of the three counts.
Mitchell will serve 20 years for robbery while armed with a deadly weapon, 20 years for being a serious violent felon in possession of a handgun, and 30 years for being a habitual felony offender. The sentences will be served consecutively. He receives credit for 938 days already served in jail.
Mitchell also was ordered to pay a $100 fine and court costs.
Mitchell told Judge Reed he wished to appeal the decision and asked the court to appoint a lawyer for him. [[In-content Ad]]
A Fort Wayne man convicted of armed robbery Feb. 22 will spend 70 years in prison.
During a three-day trial in February, a jury found Richard A. Mitchell, 45, of Fort Wayne, guilty of armed robbery, being a serious violent felon in possession of a handgun and being a habitual felony offender. Mitchell robbed Stimmelators Gentlemen's Club, North Webster, with a gun Aug. 12, 2003.
Before Judge Rex Reed handed down the sentence Thursday, Mitchell addressed the court.
"I cannot be remorseful for something I did not do," Mitchell said, adding that he should be home with his bride instead of sitting in jail.
Mitchell said his wife and his parents were victims of his incarceration and said he missed several family events while in jail.
After Mitchell's address in Kosciusko Circuit Court, Judge Reed explained the aggravating and mitigating factors he considered in determining the sentence.
The main aggravating factor in the case was Mitchell's history of criminal or delinquent behavior. Mitchell served time in the Indiana Department of Corrections for several offenses, including theft and arson. Judge Reed specified three incidents and said there were at least four other serious criminal matters in his past.
Judge Reed said of the 11 statutory mitigating factors, the only one that would possibly be applicable was that Mitchell's incarceration could cause a hardship for his wife Gudren.
However, in the end, Judge Reed said the aggravating factor "so outweighs the mitigating" that Mitchell received the maximum sentence for each of the three counts.
Mitchell will serve 20 years for robbery while armed with a deadly weapon, 20 years for being a serious violent felon in possession of a handgun, and 30 years for being a habitual felony offender. The sentences will be served consecutively. He receives credit for 938 days already served in jail.
Mitchell also was ordered to pay a $100 fine and court costs.
Mitchell told Judge Reed he wished to appeal the decision and asked the court to appoint a lawyer for him. [[In-content Ad]]