City man sentenced to 5 years in prison

LOWVILLE — A Watertown man accused of shooting Jefferson County Surrogate Court Judge Peter A. Schwerzmann with a pellet gun was sentenced to five years in state prison.

James G. Lawson III, 19, of 202 S. Rutland St., pleaded guilty Wednesday in Lewis County Court to first-degree attempted robbery and second-degree criminal trespass. He also was sentenced Friday to three years of post-release probation supervision and $4,747.94 restitution.

Mr. Lawson was allowed to enter a partial Alford plea, meaning he did not admit to all of the underlying facts of the case.

The pleas also satisfied myriad other charges, including five counts each of fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property and petit larceny, three counts each of third-degree burglary and fourth-degree criminal mischief, two counts of second-degree assault and single counts of first-degree attempted robbery, fourth-degree grand larceny, fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and fourth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

Mr. Lawson's alleged accomplice, Danny C. Thompson, also 19 and of 202 S. Rutland St., still has his case pending in Lewis County Court.

On Dec. 18, the pair allegedly approached Judge Schwerzmann and his wife, Amy, and demanded his wallet in the parking lot at Salmon Run Mall, Watertown. Judge Schwerzmann reached for his wallet, but then stopped, at which point he was shot in the head and hands with a pellet gun, suffering puncture wounds.

It further was alleged the pair then went by car to the south side of Watertown and approached Christopher J. Jank, who was walking his dog at Schley Drive and Sherman Street. The men allegedly displayed what appeared to be a handgun and demanded Mr. Jank's wallet, then drove off when Mr. Jank said he was carrying only his keys.

Mr. Lawson and Mr. Thompson also were charged with several alleged break-ins, including a town of LeRay residence in September 2008 and several businesses in the towns of LeRay and Pamelia in January.

The cases are being heard in Lewis County because Jefferson County Judge Kim H. Martusewicz recused himself.