Fourth juvenile sentenced in robbery

Fourth juvenile sentenced in robbery

Oct 6, 2001

by Aspen C. Emmett
Journal Staff Writer

The last of four juveniles to be sentenced for his participation in an armed robbery of the Cortez Comfort Inn on March 19 was sentenced Thursday to four years in a youthful-offender program with a strict warning that if he was uncooperative in the program, he would go straight to jail.

Nicholas Robinson, 16, pleaded guilty to a Class 3 felony of aggravated armed robbery. District Court Judge Sharon Hansen had the option of sentencing him to either eight years in the Department of Corrections or to four years in the Youthful Offender System.

The YOS is an intensive correctional facility for juveniles that targets education, trade skills and structured daily life.

According to police reports, on March 19 two males entered the Comfort Inn around 1:30 a.m. and were inquiring about a room when another male wearing a black cape and a bandana over his mouth came in, pulled out a short shotgun, and demanded money from the female clerk, Bobie Samora.

The masked person then allegedly picked up a plastic brochure-holder and hurled it, striking Samora in the left arm.

When she turned to get the money, a fourth male entered. The four, along with approximately $260, reportedly fled in a vehicle with two other people.

The offenders were tracked down via a room registration card that one had reportedly filled out at another motel just 15 minutes prior to the robbery.

The information on the card led detectives to a home in San Juan County, where the suspects were apprehended.

Robinson, the alleged primary aggressor in the robbery, originally faced four felony charges and two misdemeanor counts including theft and third-degree assault for throwing the brochure-holder at Samora.

Robinson’s defense attorney, Suzanne Carlson, told the court her client had had less than an ideal childhood with very limited parental support and education, and would benefit from YOS.

"He hasn’t had the kind of support we would hope a kid this age might have," Carlson said, alluding to Robinson’s juvenile record. Carlson said that a sentence to DOC would ensure that Robinson would be bound for a life of crime.

Robinson also spoke on his own behalf, apologizing for his actions and asking to be sentenced to the YOS program so he could gain job skills and become a productive adult.

"I know what I did was terribly wrong," he said.

Deputy District Attorney Brian Rossiter argued that Robinson was the most aggressive of the juveniles and the nature of his actions, along with a prior criminal record, warranted a sentence to DOC.

Hansen agreed that Robinson’s actions were the "most aggravated of any of the juveniles in this case," but said she believed he was sincerely remorseful and deserved one "last chance to turn it all around."