CANTON — With jurors assembled in the holding room next door, a Gouverneur man avoided trial by pleading guilty to a burglary charge Wednesday morning in St. Lawrence County Court.

Scott Briggs, 44, of 43 Johnstown St., was charged with second-degree burglary and criminal obstruction of breathing. As part of the plea, the latter charge was dismissed.

Mr. Briggs was accused of forcing a door open and entering Stephanie Sawyer’s home at 42 Smith St. on Feb. 22, 2011, then choking Robert Rathbun while inside.

He faces a sentence of three to seven years in state prison.

While he caused damage to items in her home, Ms. Sawyer decided not to pursue any restitution because the damage totaled less than $100.

The plea was allowed to satisfy two counts of second-degree criminal contempt, pending in Gouverneur Town Court, with which Mr. Briggs was charged separately.

His bail was revoked and he was sent to jail to await sentencing, scheduled for Aug. 7 by County Judge Jerome J. Richards.

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