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Noonan gives jail time to man who committed crimes while high on bath salts

By Howard B. Owens

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.

Brian Graz

"I've been in jail almost my whole life"

Yea let's give him a break [again] and a light penalty... maybe he'll shoot someone the next time he gets whacked out.

Mar 6, 2013, 9:40pm Permalink
Christopher Putnam

Its time that we start having the penalties fit the crimes. He didnt deprive anyone of their liberty, so i do not believe he should have his taken away for any length of time.
He did not deprive anyone else of there life, so his should not be in jeopardy by being in jail with violent criminals. Thirdly i dont think that he deprived anyone of their happiness. Sure he probably scared a few people, including his family, but no one was HURT, a bathroom was destroyed, but you can fix and forget property damage. A better penalty would have been, inpatient rehab, followed by assisted living, with some community service and restitution. Now we ALL get to pay, $109 a day, for 8 months,($26,160) to house a person that is obviously only a threat to himself....and roofs...and bathrooms. So yeah, that makes cents....(lol) Lets just keeping locking people up, where they learn nothing and get released and have nothing, forcing them to crime. No job waits 8 months for you. No apartment waits 8 months. No one hires you when your name has been on/in the paper. Im all for locking up VIOLENT criminals. Lock them away, they take lives, and happiness. However we need to start rehabilitation for the NON violent ones, because its very clear to me that incarceration is not the answer. WE have 5% of the worlds population in the US, and 20% of the incarcerated criminals... recidivism is at an all time high.
I dont know what the answer is, but it is not incarceration. It is not working, you see the same names in the blotter all the time, so lets ummmm.......... try something else? yeah.

Mar 7, 2013, 12:00pm Permalink
Dave Olsen

Those are some very good points Christopher. I think we all should be responsible for our actions,even when under the influence of whatever. He owes the property owner for the damages done and should be paying for it. Instead we focus on punishment and frankly revenge in many cases, not this one so much. I'd much rather focus on rehabilitation and education. Dropping the stupid war on drugs and truly making people responsible for their actions, will save us all a lot.

Mar 7, 2013, 12:29pm Permalink

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