Syracuse, NY - A Syracuse teenager who had attracted the interest of colleges across the country for his athletic and academic skills was sentenced today to 3 ½ years in state prison for burglary. Thomas Wilson, 18, of East Brighton Avenue, pleaded guilty three weeks ago to a felony count of second-degree burglary in connection with an Oct. 22 break-in...
Syracuse, NY - A Syracuse teenager who had attracted the interest of colleges across the country for his athletic and academic skills was sentenced today to 3 ½ years in state prison for burglary.
Thomas Wilson, 18, of East Brighton Avenue, pleaded guilty three weeks ago to a felony count of second-degree burglary in connection with an Oct. 22 break-in at a home on Springbrook Avenue. Authorities said the resident was home at the time and cowered in the bathroom while Wilson and two other youths went through the residence.
County Judge Joseph Fahey said today the fact that the victim is still living in terror was a factor in his decision not to grant Wilson youthful offender treatment. That would have removed the felony conviction from his record and sealed the case file.
Defense lawyer Anne Meadvin asked the judge to reconsider that stance, but Fahey would not change his mind. He also pointed out the incident was not an isolated one as Wilson’s guilty plea in the case was satisfying charges from two subsequent burglaries as well.
Meadvin said many colleges, including Ivy league schools, had been interested in Wilson because he was a good football player with an “outstanding” grade point average. But Wilson ended up not finishing the year at Henninger High School because of his arrests in the burglary cases, she said.