AUBURN - A state prisoner has been indicted for the second time on charges of killing a fellow Auburn Correctional Facility inmate in 2003.
Virgil Owens, 37, was arraigned in Cayuga County Court Tuesday for the three felony charges of first-degree manslaughter, first-degree assault and second-degree assault.
He entered a not guilty plea to assaulting and killing Shane Hotmer at approximately 10 p.m. Sept. 6, 2003, in the prison recreation yard.
The first indictment of Owens was dismissed in June because Owens did not have the opportunity to testify on his own behalf at the grand jury proceedings.
Owens is serving a 100-years-to-life sentence for second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree assault.
Also in court:
- Victoria Alford, 34, of 26 Jefferson St., Auburn, entered a not guilty plea to four felony drug trafficking charges. Alford is accused of selling crack cocaine 10:49 p.m. Jan. 27 and 3:19 p.m. Feb. 2.
- Caroline Clark, 18, of Auburn, was sentenced to six months in Cayuga County Jail and five years probation for her conviction of fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.
Clark was caught up in drug dealing for an older dealer, Kristy L. Hetherington, in exchange for a place to live, Assistant Chief District Attorney Jon Budelmann said.
- Tamara Clark, 28, of Rochester, entered a not guilty plea to seven drug-related felony charges. Her husband, Jimmie Clark, was arraigned last week on similar charges.
- Hanson Herring, 34, of Liverpool, was sentenced to six months weekend work release and five years probation for a felony conviction of fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Herring possessed crack cocaine at 12:17 a.m. Feb. 4 on Fitch Avenue.
Herring had no criminal record, took responsibility for his crime, had an honorable work history including serving in the U.S. Army infantry and is currently employed, said his attorney, Scott Koldin.
"I apologize to this county and this country that I've honorably served by defending it," Herring said.
"You have taken responsibility for your actions. That's not something I necessarily see every day. I appreciate that," said Judge Mark Fandrich.
- Henry Hughes, of 49 Walnut St., Auburn, turned himself in to authorities Tuesday and entered a not guilty plea to three felony charges and two misdemeanor charges of possession of crack cocaine, scales and packing materials.
His wife, Rebecca Hughes, 35, of 49 Walnut St., Auburn, has been charged with the same crimes.
- Michelle Sheffield, 31, of 4 Seminary St., Auburn, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Sheffield admitted she sold crack cocaine in Auburn Dec. 17. Her sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 20.
- Malik Waters, 52, of 12114 Duck Lake St., Red Creek, pleaded guilty to one felony charge of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.
Waters admitted he sold crack cocaine in Auburn Feb. 2. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 20.
Staff writer Amaris Elliott-Engel can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or amaris.elliot-engel@lee.net
He entered a not guilty plea to assaulting and killing Shane Hotmer at approximately 10 p.m. Sept. 6, 2003, in the prison recreation yard.
The first indictment of Owens was dismissed in June because Owens did not have the opportunity to testify on his own behalf at the grand jury proceedings.
Owens is serving a 100-years-to-life sentence for second-degree murder, first-degree robbery, third-degree criminal possession of a weapon and second-degree assault.
Also in court:
- Victoria Alford, 34, of 26 Jefferson St., Auburn, entered a not guilty plea to four felony drug trafficking charges. Alford is accused of selling crack cocaine 10:49 p.m. Jan. 27 and 3:19 p.m. Feb. 2.
- Caroline Clark, 18, of Auburn, was sentenced to six months in Cayuga County Jail and five years probation for her conviction of fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.
Clark was caught up in drug dealing for an older dealer, Kristy L. Hetherington, in exchange for a place to live, Assistant Chief District Attorney Jon Budelmann said.
- Tamara Clark, 28, of Rochester, entered a not guilty plea to seven drug-related felony charges. Her husband, Jimmie Clark, was arraigned last week on similar charges.
- Hanson Herring, 34, of Liverpool, was sentenced to six months weekend work release and five years probation for a felony conviction of fourth-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance. Herring possessed crack cocaine at 12:17 a.m. Feb. 4 on Fitch Avenue.
Herring had no criminal record, took responsibility for his crime, had an honorable work history including serving in the U.S. Army infantry and is currently employed, said his attorney, Scott Koldin.
"I apologize to this county and this country that I've honorably served by defending it," Herring said.
"You have taken responsibility for your actions. That's not something I necessarily see every day. I appreciate that," said Judge Mark Fandrich.
- Henry Hughes, of 49 Walnut St., Auburn, turned himself in to authorities Tuesday and entered a not guilty plea to three felony charges and two misdemeanor charges of possession of crack cocaine, scales and packing materials.
His wife, Rebecca Hughes, 35, of 49 Walnut St., Auburn, has been charged with the same crimes.
- Michelle Sheffield, 31, of 4 Seminary St., Auburn, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance. Sheffield admitted she sold crack cocaine in Auburn Dec. 17. Her sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 20.
- Malik Waters, 52, of 12114 Duck Lake St., Red Creek, pleaded guilty to one felony charge of third-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance.
Waters admitted he sold crack cocaine in Auburn Feb. 2. His sentencing is scheduled for Sept. 20.
Staff writer Amaris Elliott-Engel can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or amaris.elliot-engel@lee.net
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