NO DEAL: 100 YEARS IN DRUG CASE

FORT WAYNE, Ind. -- A drug dealer who rejected a plea agreement that called for six years behind bars has instead been sentenced by a judge to 100 years in prison.

Sharico Devon Blakely, 28, was unfazed by the sentence Monday and maintained his innocence during the hearing as he interrupted his attorney, insulted the prosecutor and challenged Allen Superior Court Judge Kenneth R. Scheibenberger.

"I'll be back. Soon," he told the judge.

"The last guy that said that to me is still in prison," Scheibenberger replied.

"I'm an innocent man," Blakely protested.

"So is Charles Manson," Scheibenberger said

Blakely was convicted last month on three counts of dealing cocaine and possession with intent to distribute for selling more than 3 ounces of crack and powder cocaine to a confidential police informant in May. Police also found nearly 2 ounces of cocaine in his apartment along with marijuana, prescription pain medication, a gun and nearly $5,000 in cash.

Deputy Prosecutor Jeff Stineburg asked Scheibenberger to give Blakely the maximum sentence of 100 years because of his record, which starts as a juvenile, includes three convictions for delinquency, one of which was for cocaine possession; and as an adult, 13 misdemeanors and four felonies, three of which were for dealing cocaine.

Scheibenberger sentenced Blakely to 50 years in prison for the three dealing charges, to run concurrently, and an additional 50 years for the possession with intent charge, to run consecutively to the dealing charge for a total of 100 years. It's the most time Scheibenberger has ever given a defendant on drug-dealing charges, he said.

Under Indiana law, inmates can earn one day of credit for every day they behave in jail, often cutting their sentences in half. This could allow Blakely to complete his sentence in 50 years.

Tue, 27 Feb 2007
Source: Indianapolis Star (IN)
Copyright: 2007 The Associated Press
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