ADRIAN, Mich. – Ask and you shall receive in Lenawee County Circuit Court.
A man who pleaded guilty to unarmed robbery faced no more than a year in the county jail but asked to be sent to prison instead to help his chances of rehabilitation.
Michael Thomas Isaacson got what he wanted on Thursday when a judge sentenced him to 17 months to 15 years in state prison, with a recommendation for a psychological evaluation and counseling.
Isaacson told Judge Timothy P. Pickard he believes programs available in state prisons will help him "get back on my feet," while a year in the county jail would leave his situation the same as when he was arrested.
Isaacson was caught minutes after robbing a movie theater employee, who was carrying a bank deposit bag. Isaacson said he had no gun during the robbery.
Defense lawyer Robert Jameson said Isaacson does not understand why he committed the robbery.
"He chose the cinema because he used to work at the cinema. He knows the victim. He perceived it as a low-risk crime," Jameson said.
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