Syracuse, NY - A suburban man accused of being the mastermind behind a violent home invasion during which a woman was sexually assaulted was convicted of all charges late this morning. An Onondaga County Court jury deliberated several hours Tuesday afternoon and this morning before finding Anthony M. Griffin guilty of a battery of charges, including first-degree burglary, first- and...
Syracuse, NY - A suburban man accused of being the mastermind behind a violent home invasion during which a woman was sexually assaulted was convicted of all charges late this morning.
An Onondaga County Court jury deliberated several hours Tuesday afternoon and this morning before finding Anthony M. Griffin guilty of a battery of charges, including first-degree burglary, first- and second-degree robbery, second-degree assault, second-degree intimidating a victim or witness, fourth-degree conspiracy, fourth-degree criminal solicitation, second-degree criminal contempt, endangering the welfare of a child and second- and third-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance.
Griffin, 31, of East Molloy Road, Mattydale, could face consecutive maximum penalties of 25 years in state prison for the burglary and robbery convictions plus additional time for the separate drug charges.
He turned down a pre-trial offer to settle all of the charges with a single 25-year sentence.
Judge Anthony Aloi set sentencing for Aug. 18.
Assistant District Attorney Melinda McGunnigle contended Griffin planned and set in motion the incident in which three Syracuse men broke into a Minoa home July 24. The female resident was sexually assaulted by two of the intruders in front of her 5-year-old daughter during the home invasion.
McGunnigle contended Griffin recruited one of the intruders who then recruited his two accomplices to help carry out the break-in and robbery. The prosecutor has said the sexual assault of the victim was not part of the original plan.
The three intruders who carried out the crime already have pleaded guilty and been sentenced to lengthy prison terms.
Darron Phillips, 25, of Thurgood Terrance was sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree burglary and first-degree rape.
Justin D. White, 25, of Thurgood Terrace, was sentenced to 22 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree burglary and first-degree criminal sexual act.
Jayson M. Kelley, 26, of West Genesee Street, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading guilty to first-degree burglary and first-degree robbery.
Another defendant, Aimee M. Burton, 19, of East Syracuse, cooperated with the prosecution and is facing no more than 3 ½ years in prison after pleading guilty to attempted second-degree burglary. She claimed she never actually entered the house during the incident.