By By MARCIA STEFFENS / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS -- Though she has made what Judge Michael Dodge called "poor choices in men," Susan Ruby Lockhart is on the way to a new beginning.
On Thursday, the day before she was to be sentenced in Cass County Circuit Court for delivering methamphetamine and marijuana to police informants, she graduated from Cassopolis Ross Beatty High School's adult education program in the Cass County Jail.
Lockhart, 36, 230 E. Dibble St., Marcellus, who had dropped out of Dowagiac Union High School years ago, immediately enrolled in the program, even though she had previous earned her GED.
Her lawyer, Dale Blunier, told the judge of her efforts while in jail to better herself. A letter from her teacher, Helene Hoover, told of her good nature and hard work.
With no record and the positive behavior, Dodge decided to deviate from the guideline which called for a prison sentence of 24 to 40 months.
Lockhart was sentenced to two years probation, 365 days in the Cass County Jail, with credit for 138 days, for the meth charge and time served on the lesser charges.
She is to pay $350 attorney fees, supervision fees, $450 court costs, $60 state court assessment and a $60 DNA fee.
Dodge did remind her if she failed to follow the probation rules, she would be facing a prison sentence. "I hope you prove me right," he added.
In other sentenings:
She was sentenced to attempted assault with a dangerous weapon. She hit an elderly man on the head with a clock radio at his home at 935 Ruth Lane, Niles, and then left the scene. She also failed to appear for her pre-trial.
She was sent to the Cass County Jail for 180 days, with credit for 92. She is to pay a $60 state court assessment and a $60 DNA fee.
He was sentenced to 30 days in the Cass County jail, with credit for two days. He is to pay $450 court costs, $60 state court assessment and a $60 DNA fee.
He said he was only trying to scare her and he is "seeking help for my temper."
He was sentenced to 270 days in the Cass County Jail, with credit for 119 days and two years probation.
He is to pay $350 attorney fees, supervision fees of $40 a month, $450 court costs, $60 state court assessment and a $60 DNA fee.
He was sentenced to two years probation and 365 days in the Cass County Jail, with credit for two days. He is to pay restitution of $3,861, $350 attorney fees, supervision fees, $450 court costs, $60 state court assessment and a $60 DNA fee.
He was put on probation for two years and sentenced to the Cass County Jail for 210 days, with credit for two. He is eligible for the Twin County Probation Program.
He is to pay supervision fees, $450 court costs, $350 attorney fees, $60 state court assessment and a $60 DNA fee. His license was suspended for 180 days.
Buckhold broke into a home at 10039 Pioneer Rd., Marcellus on July 10-11, 2003, where he had been allowed to stay and took money.
He was sentenced to 300 days in the Cass County Jail, with credit for 142 days. He is eligible for the Twin County Program. He is to pay restitution of $300, supervision fees, $450 court costs, $350 attorney fees, $60 state court assessment and a $60 DNA fee.
She is to pay $180 probation fee, $450 court costs, $60 state court assessment and a $60 DNA fee.