Syracuse, NY - Former lawyer Roger Scott tried today - and failed - to get a higher court to delay his upcoming Geddes Town Court sentencing for a shoplifting conviction. Scott, 76, of Elbridge, cited his age and health as reasons why his sentencing in the petit larceny case should be postponed pending an appeal of his conviction. Scott...
Former lawyer Roger Scott failed today in his attempt to have a higher court delay his sentencing for a shoplifting conviction.Syracuse, NY - Former lawyer Roger Scott tried today - and failed - to get a higher court to delay his upcoming Geddes Town Court sentencing for a shoplifting conviction.
Scott, 76, of Elbridge, cited his age and health as reasons why his sentencing in the petit larceny case should be postponed pending an appeal of his conviction.
Scott could face up to one year in jail when sentenced by Geddes Town Judge Daniel Mathews June 21.
Scott today claimed a sentence of that length would amount "virtually to a death sentence" for him.
Onondaga County Judge Anthony Aloi rejected Scott's request.
Aloi noted one section of law allows for such a postponement to be obtained in advance of sentencing only when the defendant had bail raised upon conviction. The judge noted that section of the law didn't apply to Scott because Scott is free on bail.
A second section of law allows a sentence to be stayed only after it has been imposed and that hasn't yet happened in Scott's case, Aloi noted.
Scott is free on $10,000 bail posted after he reportedly suffered a medical condition and was taken to the hospital after his conviction. A town jury convicted Scott May 26 of stealing $161.16 in merchandise from the Wegmans store in Fairmount last July 5.
Assistant District Attorney Brian Counihan today asked Aloi to consider raising Scott's bail given the defendant's history and the fact he has used different names and identifications in the past. He was arrested as Roger Blair in the Wegmans shoplifting case based on a Florida driver's license he was carrying.
Aloi rejected the prosecution request.
Scott, well known for losing his Skaneateles home in a zoning battle and then being disbarred, acted as his own lawyer before Aloi today. He declined comment upon leaving court.