Career criminal ‘ashamed’ at sentencing

Associated Press

ERIE, Pa.

A Pennsylvania man sentenced to 91/2 to 19 years in prison on his 50th birthday says he’s ashamed of his most recent crimes, a bank robbery and stealing from some people who took him in after he was paroled and homeless last year.

The Erie Times-News reports Keith Baker told an Erie County judge Thursday that, “For the first time in my criminal career, I am ashamed of my crime.”

He was being sentenced for robbing the Marquette Savings Bank in Erie in April, stealing an SUV, which he “rented” to a man in exchange for heroin, and stealing two laptop computers in a burglary, also in April.

Judge John Garhart says it appeared Baker is remorseful for his latest crimes, but was forced to treat Baker as a career offender given his 11 prior felonies.