A man who pleaded guilty to robbery in the first degree stemming from an August home invasion in the Town of Hadley was sentenced to five years in state prison, five years of post-release supervision and restitution on Tuesday, April 12, according to Saratoga County District Attorney James A. Murphy.
Peter Morris entered a guilty plea in December in the Aug. 15, 2010 incident where Morris carried out a home invasion robbery at knifepoint while the resident and her two infant children were home, said Murphy. Morris’ accomplice, Heather DeCesare, pleaded guilty on April 1, 2011, to burglary in the second degree for her part in the crime and will be sentenced on May 27, said Murphy.
Christine DeCesare gave a detailed victim impact statement at the sentencing where she described how the crime altered her feeing of safety and security, according to information from Murphy’s office. DeCesare described how her toddler son stood at Morris’ feet during the knifepoint robbery and how his anguished cry caused her `enormous pain and fear for his safety,` according to information from Murphy’s office.
Murphy said DeCesare also stated how the crime was a `life changing event` for her family and she hoped Morris’ prison term would make a `positive change` in his life.
Morris also chose to speak at the sentencing and read from a two-page prepared statement where he `tearfully expressed remorse` for the crime and said his severe heroin addiction led to his choice to commit the robbery, according to information from Murphy’s office.
In addition to the state prison term and restitution, there is an eight-year full order of protection on behalf of DeCesare and her children.
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