By By NORMA LERNER / Niles Daily Star
CASSOPOLIS – Lying in court will have its consequences. It landed Amanda Wood, 20, of 10772 Barker Road, White Pigeon, 270 days in the Cass County Jail on Friday.
Friday morning during Circuit Court sentence hearings, Cass County Prosecutor Victor Fitz told Judge Michael Dodge that the system relies on truthfulness of a witness. He said Wood disregarded the truth, and "lying will have its consequences."
Defense Attorney Lawrence Quigley told the court that Wood admitted it was a serious mistake in asking for the low end of Wood's guideline range of five to 17 months.
Dodge recounted it was June 1 when Wood testified under oath in a preliminary hearing about her fiance, Michael Harris, who was responsible for stealing a recreational vehicle on Woodlake Road, Union, that she was the one who stole it. Dodge told her that he was responsible and that she knew it. "It's a serious crime." It was a big mistake, he told her about lying under oath in the integrity of the justice system. "He will not serve time for you. If he was the one who wanted you to do this, you should not have anything more to do with him. He is not a good influence in your life," Dodge said.
Noting Wood has a past record and did not serve well during a probation term, Dodge gave her a straight jail term of 270 days. She received credit for 98 days served and is to pay $120 in costs.
Rehabilitating himself before sentencing paid off for Michael Lese, 33, of 1218 Bar St., Elkhart, Ind. who received a suspended 120 days jail for six months on four marijuana convictions Jan. 14 on Bulhand Road in Calvin Township.
Lese admitted to making mistakes and using drugs and alcohol but decided to go clean and cut himself out of the deal to save his job and insurance he needed to support his wife and two daughters. He lost his job when he was arrested Jan. 14 and begged for his job back. He was re-employed and is now working 60 hours a week or more at Keystone RV in Elkhart, Ind. and received a supporting letter from his employer who said he turned his life around.
According to Lese's attorney Martin Kirk, he was involved in activities in 2005 with James Walters who got a year in jail and three years probation on Aug. 17 for growing the marijuana on Bulhand Road. Kirk said Lese got out of the situation and broke away from his contacts. "It was foolish for Lese to get into it but got himself out," Kirk said.
Fitz argued both Lese and Walters were equal in their marijuana production. He said Lese was one of the leaders but said he had no record.
Dodge said it was Jan. 14 when the Cass County Sheriff's Office answered a call when Walters and his girlfriend, Mary Stoddard, were victims of a robbery. Police found a marijuana growing operation of 500 plants. Dodge said Walters sold $5,000 worth of the substance a week. Dodge said Lese was a partner in the growing operation, but abandoned his contract. "It is unusual where someone rehabilitated himself before sentencing," Dodge said, noting he was suitable for probation. Dodge said he looked at the letters he received and the impact a jail sentence would do for his employment because of transportation problems if he were placed on work release. But he said, "If you blow it, you will serve 120 days in jail."
Lese got two years probation. His convictions were two counts each of conspiracy to possess marijuana over 20 plants with intent to deliver and possession to deliver controlled substance marijuana. His fines and costs were $2,119.
In other sentencings:
Ruben Muth, of 116 Oak St., Dowagiac, got 3 to 15 years in prison for second-degree home invasion and a concurrent 18 months to 4 years for larceny in a building on June 1. Muth invaded the home of Carol Purucker and stole her son's bicycle on Michigan 51 North, Dowagiac. Dodge noted Muth has an extensive record for home invasion and burglary. His sentence is consecutive to a Berrien County conviction. His fines and costs were $980.
Matthew Tagliaferri, 47, of 24557 Hospital St., Cassopolis, got one year in jail and three years probation for each manufacturing marijuana over 20 plants, possession of a firearm for a convicted felon and maintaining a drug house on March 28 at his residence. His fines and costs were $1,915.