Andrew T. Spears, who was convicted of first-degree robbery in a Black Rock home invasion case, was sentenced Wednesday to 12 years in prison.
State Supreme Court Justice Christopher J. Burns cited the 25-year-old Town of Tonawanda man’s criminal past when sentencing him.
“The history of Mr. Spears cannot be ignored,” Burns said.
Spears was convicted of attempted arson in 2007, for which he served state prison time.
In October 2011, the Black Rock victims, a man and a woman, told police that two intruders entered their apartment in the 1900 block of Niagara Street shortly before 2 a.m. and demanded money at gunpoint.
Spears and his brother, Lonnie, 29, of the City of Tonawanda, stood trial. A jury acquitted Andrew of several charges but convicted him of first-degree robbery.
The two victims said the robbers took three cellphones and $700 in cash from the man and one of them hit him in the face with the handgun.
The other intruder fired several shots over the man’s head, according to a police report.
Spears asked Burns to set aside the verdict because of insufficient evidence. Burns denied the request.
“I’m a stand-up citizen. I’m ready to be sentenced,” Spears said when asked if wanted to make a statement before sentencing.
Burns said his criminal record shows Spears is not a model citizen.
“This was a violent episode,” Burns said. “There was no reason for it.”
Lonnie Spears, convicted of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, was previously sentenced to 12 years in prison as a second-time violent felony offender.
email: plakamp@buffnews.com
State Supreme Court Justice Christopher J. Burns cited the 25-year-old Town of Tonawanda man’s criminal past when sentencing him.
“The history of Mr. Spears cannot be ignored,” Burns said.
Spears was convicted of attempted arson in 2007, for which he served state prison time.
In October 2011, the Black Rock victims, a man and a woman, told police that two intruders entered their apartment in the 1900 block of Niagara Street shortly before 2 a.m. and demanded money at gunpoint.
Spears and his brother, Lonnie, 29, of the City of Tonawanda, stood trial. A jury acquitted Andrew of several charges but convicted him of first-degree robbery.
The two victims said the robbers took three cellphones and $700 in cash from the man and one of them hit him in the face with the handgun.
The other intruder fired several shots over the man’s head, according to a police report.
Spears asked Burns to set aside the verdict because of insufficient evidence. Burns denied the request.
“I’m a stand-up citizen. I’m ready to be sentenced,” Spears said when asked if wanted to make a statement before sentencing.
Burns said his criminal record shows Spears is not a model citizen.
“This was a violent episode,” Burns said. “There was no reason for it.”
Lonnie Spears, convicted of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, was previously sentenced to 12 years in prison as a second-time violent felony offender.
email: plakamp@buffnews.com