Wanner sentenced to 5 years

Talk about it

After a tearful testimony by 32-year-old Sonny Wanner Monday, Southwest District Judge William Herauf sentenced him to five years in prison.

Wanner was convicted of criminal mischief in June for starting three vehicles ablaze in Dickinson in April 2008. The damage exceeded $10,000 according to a Stark County criminal complaint.

Travis Finck, Wanner’s attorney, asked Herauf to put him on probation. Wanner then spoke to the judge for more than 20 minutes. He pleaded for the judge to let him off on probation and maintained he is innocent.

“I can’t tell people I’m sorry for something I didn’t do,” Wanner said.

He also talked extensively about how his children need him.

“I just want the chance to put our family back together,” Wanner said. “I’d give any worldly possession I have or ever will have to make it right.”

Jim Hope, assistant Stark County state’s attorney recommended Wanner be sentenced to five years in prison.

Hope said the sentencing had nothing to do with Wanner’s children.

Herauf also ordered Hope’s recommendation to put a five-year suspended sentence in place, so Wanner may serve up to 10 years if he is not on his best behavior. Wanner will also serve five years of supervised probation when he is released from prison.

Herauf told Wanner he could not talk his way out of the conviction, and believes the jury rightly convicted him.

“You just don’t accept responsibility,” Herauf said.

Wanner must pay $775 in court fees. Hereaf did not fine Wanner, stating he instead wanted to see money go toward restitution, which will be set at a later date.

Detective Chris Coates from the Dickinson Police Department, who worked on Wanner’s case, said he agreed with Herauf after the hearing.

“He showed no remorse for what he did. He’s only upset that he got caught,” Coates said. “Judge Herauf gave the appropriate sentence for the crime and the evidence was overwhelming in this case.”

Finck declined comment after the hearing.

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