Sat Feb 11 2012
John Hawkins wiped tears as he pleaded guilty to robbery and burglary Thursday while one of his victims watched sympathetically and his public defender got a box of tissues from the bench.
Hawkins was set to go to trial, but he didn’t expect the compassion of the victim, Brenda Patrick, who sat at a table with family and friends near Commonwealth’s Attorney Larry Cleveland.
Hawkins robbed Patrick at Steak ‘n Shake on Aug. 18 after he casually approached her in the restaurant’s parking lot. Hawkins shoved Patrick to the ground and snatched her purse.
But on Thursday in Franklin Circuit Court, Patrick, 63, told The State Journal she’s made her peace and forgiven Hawkins, 24.
“He’s just a young man,” she said softly, welling up with tears. “I just feel sorry for him.”
As a result, Hawkins’ burglary charge has been reduced from first- to second-degree and possibly 10 years in prison. Sentencing is set for January.
“It was a last-minute decision made yesterday,” said Cleveland, who was prepared to try Hawkins for first-degree robbery and seek a 20-year sentence.
“I talked to the victim one more time, and she’s a better person than I am,” Cleveland said.
“She was willing to agree to a reduction in the charge and show him the mercy I wasn’t willing to show him.”
Cleveland said he’s satisfied with the second-degree robbery charge as long as Patrick is happy.
“She’s the one who suffered the harm, not me,” he said.
Patrick sustained a broken and separated shoulder after Hawkins shoved her to the ground during the robbery. Patrick wore a plastic cast on her right arm that immobilized her fingers.
Patrick and witnesses picked Hawkins out of a photo lineup, and Hawkins admitted to the robbery during police questioning, court documents say.
Patrick, who was surrounded by family and friends in Franklin Circuit Court, said she was satisfied with the resolution.
Hawkins, of 200 Old Harrodsburg Road, also pleaded guilty to second-degree burglary for breaking into a home on Evergreen Road on June 25 and stealing a semi-automatic 9mm pistol and a .32 revolver.
Hawkins sold the 9mm for a quantity of drugs and the revolver for $20, Cleveland told The State Journal after Hawkins’ indictment July 15.
Cleveland said Hawkins didn’t want to plea guilty initially, which delayed the plea deal.
“He knew he was guilty,” Cleveland said. “It was just a matter of taking his medicine.”
Franklin Circuit Judge Thomas Wingate said Hawkins could face up to 40 years, but the offer on the guilty plea is for 10 years.
The Commonwealth also opposes probation or any conditional discharge, and Hawkins must also pay restitution to Patrick if he is released on parole, the plea agreement says.
Hawkins will be sentenced Jan. 15. He is represented by public defender Kristen Gonzalez, but Clay Wilkey stood in for her Thursday.
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