Wright sentenced to formal probation
Summer Crosby
Sammy Dee Wright, Jr., 16, appeared before District Court Judge Edward McLean on January 11 and was sentenced for acts he committed against Superior Antiques and Sporting Goods back on August 18, 2009. It was found by the courts that Wright committed acts which, if committed by an adult, would constitute the offense of Burglary, a felony, as alleged in the Delinquency Petition and he is hereby adjudicated as a delinquent youth. Wright admitted to the charges when he appeared in court back in September.
“In a juvenile case, instead of a person being found guilty and subject to a judgment, a person is adjudicated as a delinquent youth,” said Shaun Donovan, county attorney.
Donovan said the court found that Wright be committed to The Montana Department of Corrections until the age of 18 years for placement in a State Youth Correctional detention facility, the Pine Hill School for Boys, a boys’ reformatory. However, the court suspended the above commitment and Wright was placed on formal probation subject to all standard rules and regulations of probation.
Donovan said that Judge McLean made it clear that the restitution should be the number one priority during his probationary period. He has been ordered to pay $6330.00 of restitution to Jay and Amy Bailey, the store’s owners, at the rate of no less than $50.00 per month, beginning March 1, 2010. Donovan said that Wright has had prior offenses which he described as “minor” and “other acts of delinquency.”
“It’s clear, though, that he has not conducted any prior acts that would be considered a felony if he were an adult,” Donovan said.
Amy and Jay Bailey said that they were displeased with the actions that the court decided to take. They said that more individuals than just themselves were affected by this event and they believed that the court should have imposed a tougher sentence.
“They need to make an example out these kids, rather than let them see what they can get away with,” Amy said.
Jay felt that punishment was inadequate for the type of acts Wright had committed.
“Maybe if he had a stole a car or somebody’s paycheck out of the mailbox or something—that’s about the punishment he got. I don’t think he got near anywhere what he deserved,” Jay said. “I think that had there been some preventative maintenance with Sammy in the first place this never would have happened. I think that that this is just making a criminal out of this kid.”
If Wright should fail to make restitution by the time he nears 18 years of age, he will be transferred to the Adult Probation and Parole Bureau of the Montana Department of Corrections until such time as he attains the age of 26 years or is released by the court.