Saturday, May 20, 2000
S. Lebanon man pleads guilty in Jan. shooting
By Sheila McLaughlin
The Cincinnati Enquirer
LEBANON - Days before he was scheduled to go to trial, a South Lebanon man pleaded guilty Friday to felonious assault and burglary in the January shooting of a friend.
In exchange, prosecutors — who had unsuccessfully pursued an attempted murder charge against Charles Hinkle — agreed to dismiss charges of improperly discharging a firearm at or into a habitation, grand theft and vandalism.
Authorities arrested Mr. Hinkle after he shot Mark Wilson outside a High Street apartment Jan. 20. At the time, Mr. Wilson was try ing to break up a squabble between Mr. Hinkle and Mr. Hinkle's girlfriend, Betty Simpson.
Mr. Wilson was struck in the chest by a shotgun pellet and received minor injuries. Police said Mr. Hinkle broke into Mr. Wilson's apartment earlier and stole the shotgun.
Mr. Hinkle, who earlier raised an insanity plea, will appear in Warren County Common Pleas Court again in about a month for sentencing.
Judge Neal Bronson said he was inclined to give him a hefty break.
Mr. Hinkle's crimes carry a prison sentence of up to 20 years. However, citing a lack of serious criminal history and other circumstances, Judge Bronson said he likely will incarcerate Mr. Hinkle for up to seven years.
“The victims are compassionate toward your situation,” Judge Bronson told Mr. Hinkle Friday.
Mr. Hinkle's lawyer, Roger Staton, said his client suffered from psychological problems and was intoxicated when the shooting occurred.
In a related case, Mr. Hinkle's brother, James, pleaded guilty last month to intimidating a witness in the case.
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