Dog handler sentenced for prison escape / LJWorld.com

Archive for Wednesday, July 12, 2006

Toby Young will serve 21 months in prison

Associated Press

July 12, 2006

Leavenworth — A prison volunteer who admitted helping a convicted murderer escape in a dog crate was sentenced Wednesday to 21 months in prison.

In a plea agreement reached last month, Toby Young, 48, of Wyandotte County, who ran a dog training program at Lansing Correctional Facility, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting aggravated escape and introducing contraband - a cellular phone - into the prison.

She also agreed to pay some $7,500 in restitution to the Department of Corrections for overtime and travel expenses.

Under the plea agreement, she could have been sentenced to up to 41 months in prison, but prosecutors and defense attorney Jim Yoakum settled on 21 months.

Prosecutor Frank Kohl told reporters he was satisfied with the deal because it ensures she will serve time in prison.

Because Young receives credit for time she already served, Yoakum said she could be released within about a year.

In the agreement, Young admitted she smuggled murderer John Manard, 27, out of prison on Feb. 12 with him hiding in a dog crate in the back of van she used as part of the Safe Harbor Prison Dog Program she ran at the penitentiary.

The two were at large for two weeks before being captured in Tennessee. Manard is back in Lansing, where he spends all put one hour a day in his cell. Officials say he could have 10 years added to his sentence.

During Wednesday's brief sentencing hearing for Young, Judge Federick Stewart asked her, "Is there anything you want to say?"

She quietly replied, "No."

While coming into the courtroom with family and friends, Young had declined to talk to reporters.

Her attorney has said Young pleaded guilty because she wanted to put the highly publicized case behind her and that she felt it was a fair offer.

"She's not happy about going to prison, but she's going to make the best of the situation. I think she's living up to her responsibility," Yoakum told reporters after Wednesday's hearing.

Starting in 2004, Young ran the Safe Harbor program, using inmates to train dogs from area shelters to be adopted by families. Manard, serving life for a 1996 Johnson County murder, was a trainer. Prison officials have continued the program.

Prison officials said she took advantage of the trust she gained while running the program to drive Manard out of the prison. A guard at the gate who recognized Young didn't conduct a thorough search of the van before letting it leave the prison. That guard was fired but later was allowed to resign.

Prosecutors say Young brought a cell phone into the prison on Jan. 31. Investigators believe Manard used the smuggled phone to call the resort in Alpine, Tenn., where the pair stayed. He also arranged for the pickup truck in which they were captured.

The two were arrested Feb. 24 about 60 miles from where they were staying as they tried to outrun police in the truck on Interstate 75 between Chattanooga and Knoxville.

Discussion

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12 July 2006
at 3:15 p.m.

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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…

21 months in prison for helping the dude escape.

Lifetime of shame for ruining her family.

–-

“”She's not happy about going to prison, but she's going to make the best of the situation. I think she's living up to her responsibility,”

Oh, Comedy.
12 July 2006
at 3:25 p.m.

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i_have_only_valid_opinions (Anonymous) says…

If you watch any of her interviews, and listen to her family tear her a new one, I think the 21 months is about right. She will live in shame for the rest of her life. Sounds about right.

I don't think the writer has grammar check or spell check on his PC. One of my pet peeves. Don't professionals proofread anymore?
12 July 2006
at 3:28 p.m.

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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…

can this be right?
12 July 2006
at 3:38 p.m.

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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…

To be fair… the article is credited to the AP.
12 July 2006
at 3:47 p.m.

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OldEnuf2BYurDad (Anonymous) says…

We've read/written a lot of post along the lines of “what was she thinking?” but I also wonder what HE was thinking. For a few days of recreation (and recreational sex), he now is behind bars for 23 hours a day and is probably going to add ten years to his sentence.

Was it worth it, Manard?
12 July 2006
at 3:47 p.m.

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cutny (Anonymous) says…

Blah, blah, blah….Live in shame…as if you high and mighty moral rollers have never been blinded by love/lust/infatuation. I'm sure she'll get over it, as well as her family. Man, you are a judgemental bunch. Not saying you broke the law, but we've all done things we're less than proud of….well…yeah, you're right…maybe not marion
12 July 2006
at 3:55 p.m.

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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…

cutny - Wow. You and I live in different worlds. I'm sure her kids are over it already. You are right.

Dad - I believe he gets all the recreational sects he wants in prison.

12 July 2006
at 4:07 p.m.

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mommaeffortx2 (Anonymous) says…

cutny she gave up everything for a convicted killer and helped him get out of jail I see that just a little diffrent than being a stupid kid in love and sneaking out of the house.
12 July 2006
at 4:12 p.m.

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srj (Anonymous) says…

I give the D.A. credit for it. If she went in front of a jury and gave the sad story (her side of the truth anyway) she might have avoided any time.
12 July 2006
at 4:26 p.m.

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oscarfactor (Anonymous) says…

The only people deserving any sympathy in all of this are Young's husband and kids. I would hope they are able to move far away to put this behind them ASAP.
12 July 2006
at 4:38 p.m.

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Centrist (Anonymous) says…

“” That guard was fired but later was allowed to resign. ”“

WHAT? You mean you can go back to a job you are fired from and then resign? WOW …

And as for this lady, she helped a convicted murderer get out of jail. Who knows what he may have done to someone else, or her for that matter?

No sympathy whatsoever. F.U, lady …
12 July 2006
at 4:41 p.m.

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Sigmund (Anonymous) says…

You aint nothin but a hound dog
Cryin all the time.
You aint nothin but a hound dog
Cryin all the time.
Well, you aint never caught a rabbit
And you aint no friend of mine.

When they said you was high classed,
Well, that was just a lie.
When they said you was high classed,
Well, that was just a lie.
You aint never caught a rabbit
And you aint no friend of mine.
12 July 2006
at 4:50 p.m.

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Teapot9 (Anonymous) says…

21 months is way way way too long. Ok i get what happened but lets look at what didnt happen, the guy didnt murder again and he was caught now hes spending 23 hours a day in a cell that is cruel enough. prison is alreayd so mentally tough and the punishments in this state are ridiculous and democratic judges are just as strict as republican judges. 6 months maximum and thats it.
12 July 2006
at 5:20 p.m.

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Iwanttosaythis (Anonymous) says…

Is that all 21 months, If he was mexican everyone would be yelling for a rope!!!!!!!
12 July 2006
at 5:38 p.m.

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The_Original_Bob (Anonymous) says…

Teapot - 21 months minus time served plus good behavior. She'll be out by Memorial Day '07.

12 July 2006
at 6:35 p.m.

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justsomewench (Anonymous) says…

if memory serves me right, her husband got right on “over it” to a law office not too long ago and filed for divorce. share that comment with your S.O., cutny, and see if they share your sentiment. i dare ya.
12 July 2006
at 8:40 p.m.

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devobrun (Anonymous) says…

cutny has a good point. I think she'll get over it and so will her husband.

Kids might be a different story.

Most people feel then do. Thought is either overwhelmed by feeling, or never pursued because thought is difficult.

P.T. Barnum, beer advertisements, doomsday predictors all feed on the proclivity of people to feel, then do.

Her case is just an extreme example of the folly of emotion. But what else are ya gonna do, think?

Nah, its way easier to feel. Just ask Elvis, he lives in Reno,Kansas. I done seen 'im thar.
12 July 2006
at 9:22 p.m.

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justsomewench (Anonymous) says…

there's no excuse adequate for trading your family in for a week of sleaze on the lam.

again, ask your own S.O. if they'd forgive you for doing such a whimsical stint (and, in all your confidence, be sure to tell them you think they should - just as you've told us). i double dog dare ya (no pun intended).
13 July 2006
at 12:20 a.m.

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lawrencephilosopher (Anonymous) says…

As a condition of her parole, make her change her name and move from with in 1000 miles of her former family……….they will always pay the biggest price! Then put her on TV, make her rich, she will write a book, go on Oprah, have twins, get got in Leavenworth with a joint and click click click …like a mouse in a maze …start all over again, go to work for Gene Fritzel Construction Co. win the new contract, bid rig and end up at the beginning again….sounds like a run for a seat on the local commission is a lock.