December 4, 2012

Blind activists concerned about sentence for Maine thief

A Rumford man who's legally blind pleaded guilty last month under an agreement in which a felony burglary charge was dismissed.

The Associated Press

RUMFORD — Some members of the National Federation of the Blind of Maine are upset over a judge's leniency on a Rumford man who took $11,000 worth of items from his neighbor's home.

Charles Hamilton, who's legally blind, pleaded guilty last month under an agreement in which a felony burglary charge was dismissed. Justice Robert Clifford gave Hamilton a two-year deferred disposition, meaning the charges will be removed from his record if he pays restitution of $1,200 and stays out of trouble.

Several current and former members of the National Federation of the Blind of Maine believe the man's disability played into the handling of the case.

Patricia Estes of Auburn told the Sun Journal that the man's blindness should not have been a factor in getting a lenient sentence.

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