Man accused in Broadway Party Store robbery sentenced to time served on felony charge
The lone arrestee from an armed robbery at the Broadway Party Store in April was sentenced to time served for one felony charge Monday, but he still may face more criminal charges.
Joseph Bailey
Courtesy of Ann Arbor
Joseph Bailey, who was 20 when charged, pleaded guilty to assaulting, resisting or obstructing a police officer on Nov. 5, according to court records. Charges of armed robbery, possession of a short barreled shotgun and possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony were dropped without prejudice on that day.
On Monday, Washtenaw County Trial Court Judge Melinda Morris sentenced him to six months in jail with credit for six months served. Bailey was allowed to walk out of the courtroom immediately after his sentencing.
Ann Arbor police Detective Chris Fitzpatrick said the case is still open and Bailey could face more criminal charges.
“We’re still looking for any additional information or tips,” he said.
Bailey was accused of working with another man to rob the Broadway Party Store, 1027 Broadway St., at 10 p.m. April 9. Police released a security camera video of the robbery back in April, showing two masked men in the store. One pointed a shotgun at a clerk while another took items. No one was injured during the incident.
Bailey was arrested on May 25 and was lodged at the Washtenaw County Jail until Nov. 5, when he was eventually bonded out. The second man in the case has never been arrested and police continue to look for more information leading to his arrest.
Because the charges against Bailey were dismissed without prejudice, there is no possibility of double jeopardy and he could possibly be charged with the robbery if more evidence comes to light.
Comments
Fresh
Thu, Dec 20, 2012 : 6:56 p.m.
Dude your a low life criminal it's sad another criminal is set free but it's ok your gonna get yours sooner or later justice will prevail
My2bits
Thu, Dec 20, 2012 : 2:32 p.m.
Kyle, it sounds like a follow up article is in order. If the man accused of this robbery is the man commenting on this article, he has something to tell you, and you will have a good article to research and report on for us.
Nick Danger
Thu, Dec 20, 2012 : 1:18 p.m.
Six months for armed robbery? Maybe i should consider changing professions.There is little consequence for being a felon in Washtenaw county.This is a joke
My2bits
Thu, Dec 20, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.
read the article next time BEFORE commenting
Jay Thomas
Thu, Dec 20, 2012 : 6:41 a.m.
Unbelievable. It never stops with Morris. I honestly believe she is more of a threat to the community than any one defendant that comes before her court. If only she could be removed.
Westfringe
Thu, Dec 20, 2012 : 12:03 a.m.
Melinda Morris is a joke, a dangerous one. I really wish Fink was replacing her.
Bear
Thu, Dec 20, 2012 : 3:05 a.m.
why, because he might try and convict someone despite reasonable doubt? Might soothe the savage drive you have to see people punished? There are too many people in prison under just such circumstances. This country used to have the ideal that 100 criminals should go free lest one innocent man be convicted. Now it seem that the attitude that prevails is 100 innocent people should be imprisoned, lest one guilty man go free. pathetic.
brownsexy
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 10:36 p.m.
hope he learns something in prison and grow up
Joe Bailey
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 8:32 p.m.
Well to let all who had comments of me being a violent criminal Know the reason I was release on lack of evidence an that it was not me who committed the crime an I'm far from criminal be for this endeavor I was working construction making a good living an thanks to people like the ones that have left there negative comments it is hard now for me to find a job Ann Arbor police had made a mistake if people really want to know
Joe Bailey
Thu, Dec 20, 2012 : 4:18 a.m.
No I lost my job because Ann Arbor police came to my job site with allot of cars which was not necessary I tried to cooperate with a detective on the phone to get the situation handled be for it escaladed but he lied to me to think I was going to be able to come speak with them on my own terms an now I feel like I've been publicly humiliated an I wish I could get the truth out cause I'm not the person they make me out to be
Westfringe
Thu, Dec 20, 2012 : 12:08 a.m.
If it was a mistake I'm sorry you got a raw deal. If not you have another chance to do right with your life, don't waste it.
Joe Bailey
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 11:44 p.m.
They came after like I had killed somone I got scared my nerves gt that the best of me I was locked up for 5 monts away from my daughter so I took the charge so I could get home to my child which I didn't have to I cod have beat the charge
stevek
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 10:58 p.m.
Losing your job probably had nothing to do with the crime you did commit and pled guity to right?
Susan Ursus
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 10:12 p.m.
If you really are the Joe Bailey referenced in the article, and you are indeed innocent, I wish you well. What's up with the resisting charge, though?
Tru2Blu76
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 6:18 p.m.
From article: "One pointed a shotgun at a clerk while another took items. No one was injured during the incident." - No one was injured, sure. What about the clerk who had a shotgun pointed at them by a masked man? Terrifying? You betcha. Clearly, in this example, we have a situation where the criminal could have violently killed another human being. Sad that, apparently, even with video evidence, someone can put on a mask, take a shotgun into a store and terrify people - and still get off with only 5-1/2 months jail time. Next time you go into a store like this (grocery stores included): try to remember that clerk/cashiers stand there (unarmed) during their shift right next to a pile of cash: which some thugs think is theirs with no more effort than to point a gun (pulling the trigger is also very easy). Think about that cashier, exposed day after day to that possibility, and then tell us that you'll still treat that fellow human being as if they were your incompetent servant. (I've seen customers behave exactly that way thousands of times since childhood - so don't try telling me it's rare: it's a daily behavior displayed with callous arrogance.) Police lay their lives on the line daily too: and we rightly praise them for their service. But police officers carry guns (sometimes enough armament to take over a small town). They've also got other officers for back up, fast communication and body armor. Cashiers have none of that - they only have the advice (sometimes) that they should surrender the cash to avoid being killed (not a firm promise, by the way). Just asking: is it too much effort to be friendly and tolerant toward them (you know, like not screaming in their face if they make a mistake)?? (counting) 1,2,3... Oh and let me apologize to any clerk/cashier whom I may have disrespected in the past. It's 6 days to Christmas, I want to wish you all a Happy, Safe and Merry Christmas.
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Dec 20, 2012 : 6:12 a.m.
ordmad: I made an error in stating the time served was due to "pointing a shotgun at" someone. That's called an error (which you should be deeply familiar with) - so my part of the discussion was still honest, as was my point - think of the clerks/cashiers exposed to this danger when dealing with them. :-)
ordmad
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 7:17 p.m.
He did NO time for pointing a gun at someone, let alone the 5.5 months you suggest. That charge was dropped because, presumably, there was no evidence (there was no plea deal, the other situation where charges are typically dropped). Please read the story before commenting - it makes for an HONEST discussion.
Nicholas Urfe
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 6:14 p.m.
That outcom is pathetic. The sawed off shotgun is a 5 to 10 year federal felony, with no parole.
Joe Bailey
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 8:36 p.m.
But my DNA nor my fingerprints match the ones on the gun or on the cash register
Joe Bailey
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 8:35 p.m.
Only my DNA n
Unusual Suspect
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 5:21 p.m.
At first I read, "sentenced him to six months in jail" and I thought wow, that's a refreshing change that Judge Morris would hand down such a sentence. Then I went on to read, "with credit for six months served. Bailey was allowed to walk out of the courtroom immediately after his sentencing." The title "Honorable" is totally wasted on this judge.
bunnyabbot
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 3:46 p.m.
lovely!
ordmad
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 3:45 p.m.
@ DJBudSonic: Uh, no. They didn't have evidence on this charge so they dropped it without prejudice. So it tells no story (let alone the "whole story") other than you barely read the article before launching into some tangent diatribe about gun control that has nothing to do with this story.
tdw
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 4:44 p.m.
Not a clue why I got deleted,so how about this one " don't throw stones when you live in glass houses ".
DJBudSonic
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 3:34 p.m.
So... This guy can posses and use in a crime an illegal weapon, but face no felony weapons charges? This tells the whole story on gun control; as soon as the laws on the books are enforced, I will accept additional gun control measures, until then, forget it. Pretty sad state of affairs in the prosecutors office, don't necessarily blame the judge in this case. Either way this guy (withholding an accurate description of his character) is on the streets, and likely will be up to no good soon enough.
Joe Bailey
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 8:42 p.m.
To give you a little insight I'm doing just fine working for sub contractor also you can't be charge on a weapon that can not be proved to have been in your possession
A2brooksie
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 3:19 p.m.
THe article does not seem to make sense, it states that he was arrested on May 25. It then states he bonded out on November 5 (which is about 5 1/2 months from May 25). He was then sentenced to 6 months in jail, and let out with time served which was only 5.5 months. It does not make sense. Though i'm no fan of Melinda Morris, I agree they probably had no case here. I'm also aware that annarbor.com frequently has numerous typos that they may not be reporting the full story either.
Billy
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 3:16 p.m.
Way to go Melinda Morris...AGAIN giving a VIOLENT criminal a pass....
ffej440
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 2:53 p.m.
Hey Folks- Read between the lines. They didn't have a strong case at this time to get conviction on the robbery. He can still be charged later if they can build a stonger case. Whats happened is six months for obstruction. The rest may be charged later if more evidence is found. Why waste time and money on a losing trial. This is a plea that makes sense.
nowayjose
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 2:47 p.m.
This isn't the first time Melinda Morris failed her community by letting a violent felon back on the streets. I'm so glad her time as a judge will soon be at a end because of her age. It's pretty bad when a felon she let off sends flowers to her office.
Bear
Thu, Dec 20, 2012 : 2:50 a.m.
uhm, I think that's called "hearsay".
nowayjose
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 4:09 p.m.
There is no published story to that but I'm sure if you asked the right people they'd tell you the story.
Craig Lounsbury
Wed, Dec 19, 2012 : 3:03 p.m.
"It's pretty bad when a felon she let off sends flowers to her office." I'm no fan of Judge Morris but I missed that in this story. How about some link of some sort to that incident.