Mary Alice Reporting –
With Judge Elizabeth Thomakos saying she saw no remorse from the defendant, a prison term was imposed in a gross sexual imposition case.
35-year-old Daniel Wardell Sr. appeared in Common Pleas Court Wednesday, for the sentencing hearing, on the first-degree felony charge that occurred roughly five years ago when the victim was seven and eight years old.
Wardell had pleaded guilty to the incident and during the hearing, as is required, the defendant was given the opportunity to speak.
“Took a deal because I was basically between a rock and a hard place [of] five years or life. It was either fight it and prove my innocence [or] get life in prison if the jury said they didn’t believe me, or take a deal from it of one to five years. That’s a big difference. I felt like there was no chance, no recourse for me to defend myself. It’s ten to life versus one to five years.”
A victim impact statement was read, noting the pain and emotional damage that was done by a family friend, someone that was trusted.
At the conclusion, Thomakos handed down a prison term.
“You’re going to be responsible for court costs in this case. I am going to impose a 36-month prison term at the Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. Sitting here today, after pleading guilty to the offense, [you have] disclaimed any responsibility.”
Wardell will also have to register as a Tier 3 sex offender for life.
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