Noonan gives jail time to man who committed crimes while high on bath salts
Bradley Broadbent poked his finger into the defense desk and told Judge Robert C. Noonan this morning, "I'm never going to be behind this table again, your honor."
Broadbent was sentenced today on his five misdemeanor convictions stemming from his actions July 6 when he was high on a bath salt known as "Amped," that he said he purchased at the former 420 Emporium.
That day, he destroyed a bathroom of an office complex on Liberty Street, climbed on the roof of a house on Hutchins Street, and after leaving the emergency room at UMMC, entered a dwelling on Tracy Avenue.
A jury found him not guilty on all the felony charges he faced, but convicted him of five misdemeanors: two counts of criminal mischief, 4th, two counts of criminal trespass, 2nd, and petit larceny.
Those are charges, he said, he would have entered a guilty plea to if given a chance.
Broadbent said he really wants to get his life straightened out and was hoping for a probationary sentence or weekend incarceration.
"I've been in jail almost my whole life," Broadbent told Noonan. "I know with my record, saying I'm sincerely sorry is hard to take seriously, but I am sorry. This is the last time I'm ever going to be at this table, your honor, regardless of what you sentence me to."
Because of Broadbent's record, District Attorney Lawrence Friedman said, anything less than the maximum sentence available under New York law would be inappropriate.
Broadbent has a history, Friedman said, of violating terms of probation and parole.
Noonan did sentence Broadbent to the maximum for his misdemeanor convictions, which is two consecutive one-year terms in jail. With time served and time for good behavior, Broadbent will be out of jail in seven to eight months.
"You're a poster child for why bath salts had to be banned," Noonan said. "The evidence of your behavior in this trial was nothing short of bizarre, and not only in terms of what you did, but what you were able to do with almost superhuman feats while under the influence of those substances."
But, Noonan said, there's nothing indicating Broadbent could abide by any terms of probation.
"If you turn your life around, nothing would make me happier and the other people in the criminal justice system," Noonan said.
At age 33, Noonan said, it was time for Broadbent to put his childish behavior behind him.
Just before Broadbent was escorted from the courtroom, Noonan added, "I'm going to hold you to your promise that I won't see you back here."
PUBLISHER'S NOTE: Bradley introduced himself to me prior to the hearing. He thanked The Batavian for our fair, accurate and honest coverage of his case. We had a long talk, none of which is really fodder for this story. He did ask me to emphasize that he offers his sincere apology to the community for his behavior, that he realizes with his track record it might be hard for some to believe, but that he really wants to get his life going in the right direction. I believe he's sincere and truly hope he is able to move forward in a positive direction from this day forward.