AUBURN - The trial of a Binghamton man accused of chopping down and stealing more than $20,000 in timber from hunting land in Niles is set to start today in Cayuga County Court.
John Finch, 57, faces two counts of grand larceny and two counts of misdemeanor criminal mischief.
He previously pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree attempted grand larceny charge in connection with the spring 2002 theft of 15,500 feet of standing timber on Twelve Corners Road, but he withdrew the plea in November.
Finch had been hired by an adjacent landowner to clear trees, but moved onto the other property to cut down expensive trees, such as black walnuts.
As part of his guilty plea, Finch was required to pay $22,000 in restitution by Dec. 1.
If he paid the money, he would have received nine months in jail. If he didn't, his potential incarceration could be significantly longer if found guilty in a trial.
Finch told Cayuga County Judge Mark Fandrich he has no intention of repaying any of the $22,000.
He didn't give a reason.
Finch is free in lieu of $40,000 cash bail.
He previously pleaded guilty to a fourth-degree attempted grand larceny charge in connection with the spring 2002 theft of 15,500 feet of standing timber on Twelve Corners Road, but he withdrew the plea in November.
Finch had been hired by an adjacent landowner to clear trees, but moved onto the other property to cut down expensive trees, such as black walnuts.
As part of his guilty plea, Finch was required to pay $22,000 in restitution by Dec. 1.
If he paid the money, he would have received nine months in jail. If he didn't, his potential incarceration could be significantly longer if found guilty in a trial.
Finch told Cayuga County Judge Mark Fandrich he has no intention of repaying any of the $22,000.
He didn't give a reason.
Finch is free in lieu of $40,000 cash bail.
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