Judge sentences woman for role in armed robbery

A third defendant awaits trial.
By DENISE DICK
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- Supporters of robbery accomplice Develyn Greene filled the judge's small chambers at the Mahoning County Courthouse on the woman's behalf.
Greene, 37, of Laurie Drive, pleaded guilty and was convicted of complicity to robbery. She agreed to cooperate with the prosecution of the two others involved in an October robbery of a sandwich shop.
As part of the plea, the Mahoning County prosecutor's office agreed to stand silent on a sentencing recommendation, said Robert Andrews, an assistant county prosecutor.
Judge Maureen A. Sweeney of Mahoning County Common Pleas Court sentenced Greene to three years in prison for the complicity charge and one year on the specification that a gun was used.
The sentence came after the judge heard from Greene's supporters. Eight people filled the tiny court space on the Austintown woman's behalf.
Pastors' support
"I see within Develyn a willingness and a desire to turn her life around," said the Rev. Oran Telford, assistant pastor at Word of God Fellowship Church in Canfield.
The Rev. John Dobritch, the church pastor, said that Greene has supportive people within her church to help her turn her life around.
She's a weak person who got involved with the wrong people, he said.
Atty. John P. Laczko, who represented Greene, said his client is addicted to crack and was on a binge the night of the crime.
Greene apologized to the court, her family and her church family for her crime. "I wish I could have made a better decision," she said.
Greene said she tried to talk the others charged with the crime out of committing it.
Robbery
On Oct. 23, William H. Anderson, 54, of North Bruce Street, pointed a pistol at the clerk at the Subway on West Rayen Avenue and grabbed money from the register.
Greene and James Stephenson III, 26, of Deer Creek Court, Austintown, were in the getaway minivan outside when the robbery occurred. Stephenson, who awaits trial, was the driver.
Anderson pleaded guilty last month to aggravated robbery with a specification that a gun was used in the crime. Judge Sweeney sentenced Anderson to 10 years in prison -- seven years for the aggravated robbery and three years on the firearm specification.