BERRIEN COUNTY TRIAL COURT

NILES – Action this week in Berrien County Trial Court included prison terms for a man who chose prison over probation, a youth who went on a home invasion crime spree in February and March and a man who continues to fail to register as a sex offender.
Defendants usually try to stay out of prison, but that’s not what happened in Berrien County Trial Court over the last week. Eugene Jackson first asked for a sentence to prison rather than probation last week and got his wish Monday.
 Jackson, 49, of Michigan Street in Niles, told Berrien County Trial Judge Angela Pasula last week that he didn’t think he could make it on probation and asked for a straight prison term. “I really want to go to prison,” he said. “What they’re asking me to do (on probation) is too much.”
Pasula originally said she didn’t think she could impose a prison sentence since the guidelines called for a local sentence but delayed the sentencing to look into the matter further.
Monday, the judge agreed to sentence Jackson to 17 months in prison for attempted third offense domestic violence as a habitual offender after both the prosecution and defense stipulated to a prison sentence and no appeal of the sentence.  Jackson has credit for $141 days already served and must pay $1,098 in fines and costs.
The incident occurred March 18 at a home in Niles when he assaulted his girlfriend and threatened her.
Jackson’s past record included four felony and 19 misdemeanor convictions. He’s been sent to jail 13 times and to prison once before.
A Niles youth who went on a crime spree of home invasions and motor vehicle breakins throughout southern Berrien County as well as Cass County was sentenced to prison.
 Devin Cole Hays, 19, of Cedar Street in Niles, pleaded guilty to second degree home invasion and was sentenced to 51 months to 15 years in prison. He must pay $1,634 in fines and costs and $262.63 in restitution. He has credit for 149 days served.
He was given credit for time served for two counts of resisting and obstructing police from incidents in March. The home invasions occurred in February at locations in the Niles area. Hays still faces charges in Cass County.
Defense attorney Paul Jancha, Jr. said Hays dropped out of college last fall, became angry and depressed, started using drugs and “fell in with the wrong people.”
 Larry Charles Pierce, 28, of North 11th Street in Niles, pleaded guilty to failing to register as a sex offender, third offense, and was sentenced to 14 months to 10 years in prison. He has credit for 34 days already served and must pay $1,098 in fines and costs.
The incident occurred last December when he failed to report that he had a cell phone or email account. Judge Pasula noted that Pierce had four prior convictions for failure to register or comply with the sex offender registry. He’s been to jail four times previously and to prison twice before.