by Audrey Thomasson
LANCASTER—For the past two-and-a-half years, convicted felon Sharon Pelkey has avoided prison due to a number of medical issues. On November 18, Lancaster County Circuit Court Judge R. Michael McKenny denied another request for postponement and ordered her to report to jail.
Pelkey was convicted in May 2014 of nine felonies of breaking and entering, stealing prescription drugs and some $32,000 in jewelry from her neighbor. She was sentenced to 50 years in prison, with all but two years and five months suspended.
Defense attorney Wayne Nunnally argued that his client has served most of her sentence because she has been “imprisoned” at home on electronic monitoring. “She’s serving her time. She has an ankle bracelet,” Nunnally argued.
“She’s on medical furlough,” corrected Commonwealth’s Attorney Jan Smith. He said none of the furlough time would count against her sentence. “It’s time for her to go to jail.”
Nunnally presented a letter from Pelkey’s doctor as evidence that she needed to remain out of jail for additional surgery. “She’s had a disc removed, a gallbladder operation, a mesh removed…all kinds of life threatening medical problems the doctor wants to review,” said Nunnally.
Judge McKenny questioned the letter, saying it was full of misspellings, including misspelling the name of the practice. He ordered a recess in order for the attorneys to validate its authenticity.
After calling the doctor’s office, Smith said he would not accept the letter because the office would not comment either way as to the validity.
“Miss Pelkey has a lengthy sentence. These are more issues of inconvenience than life threatening,” said Judge McKenney. He ordered Pelkey to report to jail by 7 p.m.
Judge McKenney also heard the following cases on November 18.
Allen Conaway of Wicomico Church was granted a continuance of his case until January 27 due to a serious illness in his immediate family. Conway is charged with probation violations on one felony and three misdemeanor convictions.
Shakeen Donta Walker of Weems is charged with probation violation on one felony conviction. The case was continued to December 15 on a motion by the judge.
William Gayle Sanford of Saluda is charged with probation violation on two felony convictions. The case was continued to December 16 due to Sanford’s convictions in Middlesex County and the unavailability of two witnesses.
Clinton Robert Chewning of Weems entered a guilty plea to two felony charges of distribution of a controlled substance. He was sentenced to 10 years with an active sentence of one year, four months.
Monte Burnell Jackson of Weems was in court over attorney arrangements on a felony charge of distribution of a controlled substance. Trial was set for February 17.
Kardis Maurice Davis of Weems was in court over attorney arrangements on a felony charge of distribution of a controlled substance. Trial was set for February 17.
Given Dino Rice of Heathsville pled guilty to four felony charges of abduction by force, stealing a vehicle, habitual offender, eluding police and one misdemeanor assault and battery. He was sentenced to 21 years with an active sentence of two years, four months.
Derrick Jermaine Curry of Lancaster was charged with felony unauthorized use of a vehicle and misdemeanor driving on a suspended license. Because he was responding to an emergency situation, the felony charge was taken under advisement for one year. He was given a mandatory 10-day sentence for the misdemeanor and ordered to pay restitution of $1,500 for subsequently wrecking the car in an accident on his way back. His license was suspended for an additional 90 days.
Dante Verdel Jones of Kilmarnock, charged with two misdemeanor offenses of selling marijuana and felony child abuse, was set for trial March 17.
Jasmine Elizabeth Taylor, charged with one misdemeanor distribution of marijuana, was set for trial March 17.
Kathryn Ann George of White Stone, charged with misdemeanor credit card fraud, was set for trial at 1 p.m. November 28.
