Courts

At sentencing, convict admits to his crimes

A man who once claimed police were trying to pin burglary and sexual assault charges on him because of his race came clean in court Friday and threw himself at a judge’s mercy.

“I was a dumb kid. I feel horrible for what I did. I feel sorry for the victims,” defendant Brian K. Charles said. “I just beg for mercy right now.”

Charles, 20, earlier had claimed he was prosecuted because he was a young black man.

Last month he pleaded guilty to burglarizing one occupied apartment and touching a woman inappropriately in another. The charges stemmed from break-ins Nov. 3, 2003, at apartments on Clinton Parkway.

Douglas County District Judge Jack Murphy, after denying a motion for a lighter sentence, ordered Charles to serve just short of 11 years in prison, 130 months, for the aggravated burglary charge, followed by 12 months for sexual battery.

Crime

Shooting probe continues

Police still were trying Friday to identify the person who fired a gun into a car Thursday night in North Lawrence and wounded a 28-year-old woman.

They did not release the identity of the victim Friday because of the nature of the crime. Police said they did not know the relationship between the woman and the suspect.

The shooting happened at 7:19 p.m. at Seventh and Locust streets.

Police said the woman was in her vehicle when a white, four-door Oldsmobile struck her vehicle. One of the Oldsmobile’s passengers then fired a single shot at the woman’s car, she told police. She was treated at Lawrence Memorial Hospital for a gunshot wound to the leg.

Police later determined the Oldsmobile was stolen in Kansas City, Kan. Anyone with information should call detectives at 830-7430 or the Crime Stoppers hot line at 843-TIPS.

Gasoline prices

Pump Patrol seeks deals

The Journal-World has found a Lawrence gasoline price as low as $1.75 at Conoco Food Mart, 955 E. 23rd St.

If you find a lower price, call the Pump Patrol at 832-7154.