COURTS Caretaker sentenced for theft

The woman could have received up to five years in prison.
WARREN -- A 57-year-old woman, who operates Shamrock Med Staffing Inc. and has pleaded guilty to theft, will have to serve 60 days in jail and then a five-year probation.
Marlene Shamrock of Cortland was sentenced during a brief hearing Wednesday before Judge W. Wyatt McKay of Trumbull County Common Pleas Court.
The judge said Shamrock must report to jail Wednesday.
She could have received up to five years in prison.
Prosecutors said Shamrock stole $87,600 from an elderly woman that she knew.
Shamrock pleaded guilty, but she believes she is innocent. She and her attorney, Heidi Hanni, told the judge that Shamrock pleaded guilty because she believed the case facts could have persuaded a jury to convict her.
Accepting punishment
"I was very satisfied with the sentence," Hanni said. "I think the judge was very fair. I was also very glad that the judge will allow her to report to jail, and she was not taken away in handcuffs today. This has been very traumatic for her."
Hanni said her client has worked as a caregiver and did not intend to do anything wrong.
"I don't believe there was criminal intent," Hanni said.
The judge also ordered that Shamrock not have any further contact with the elderly or disabled.
sinkovich@vindy.com