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NILES — Area residents were given jail and/or probation sentences Monday in Berrien County Trial Court.

     William Kasey Kennedy, 36, of Benton Harbor, pleaded guilty to attempted third-degree home invasion and malicious destruction of a building under $200 and was sentenced to two years probation, 30 days in jail with credit for four days served, 90 days tether and $2,563 in fines and costs and restitution.

     He also pleaded guilty to second offense drunk driving and was sentenced to a concurrent 30 days in jail with credit for four days served and $1,477 in fines and costs.

     The incident occurred March 16 in Oronoko Township.

Defense attorney Shayne Williams said Kennedy was going through a bad break up with the mother of his children and broke into the wrong home.  Kennedy apologized to the owner of the home he broke into, saying “I can’t imagine how bad I scared him.”

“This was a serious situation, it could have gone bad for you and for others,” Judge Smith said. “The victim was gracious and said he didn’t think you meant to harm him.”

Reginald LaWayne Williams, 46, of South Bend, pleaded guilty to second offense possession of narcotics/cocaine and was sentenced to 200 days in jail with credit for 125 days already served and $198 in fines and costs. The jail sentence can be served in any penal institution.

The incident occurred Jan. 31 in Niles. Williams also faces charges in Indiana.

Judge Smith noted that this was Williams’ seventh felony conviction. “At some point you have to not do this anymore if you want to be in the lives of children and grandchildren,” she said. “Otherwise you could be going to prison and spending your life there on the installment plan.”

Trevonte Keshawn Briggs, 27, of Niles, pleaded guilty to attempted receiving, concealing or possession of a stolen vehicle and was sentenced to two years probation, credit for 77 days already served and $658 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred Sept. 10, 2022 in Niles Township.

Judge Smith told Briggs he shouldn’t be getting into a car with someone he doesn’t know. “Don’t put yourself in a situation where something happens that puts you before a judge,” she said.

Jerome Lamor Rushing, 52, of Berrien Springs, pleaded no contest to third offense domestic violence and was sentenced to two years probation, 180 days in jail with credit for 76 days served, completion of the Swift & Sure and Tri-Cap programs, 90 days tether and $598 in fines and costs.

The incident occurred March 20 in Niles.

Judge Smith noted that Rushing was pretty intoxicated at the time of the incident and pleaded no contest because he didn’t remember the incident. She said that while he has been a danger to girlfriends, she will give him one last chance to turn his life around.