On Friday Special Judge of Marshall Superior Court No. 1, Judge Christopher Lee from Fulton County conducted an initial hearing in the Fulton County Court House for Laura E. Mann and Kevin Bridgman of Plymouth.
In a plea agreement with Marshall County Prosecutor Nelson Chipman, Mann and Bridgman admitted guilt to one count each of theft, but if they each complete their individualized plans of action those charges could be dropped.
Mann’s action plan includes maintaining employment, complete 60 hours of community service and pay more nearly $2,800 in restitution and fees and court costs while Bridgman’s plan requires him to pay $10,000 in restitution and complete 40 hours of community service.
Mann and Bridgman were able to participate in the recently created Felony Pretrial Diversion Program which was established by Chipman in October of 2017 and is one of only six such programs in Indiana. It allows persons charged with felony offenses that with previously clean backgrounds and no criminal history have a chance to maintain that clear history.
Chipman said, “If the Defendant (Mann & Bridgman) satisfactorily complies with the above conditions, then upon the expiration of 12 months from the entry of the Defendant’s guilty plea, the State will consent to allowing the defendant to withdraw the previously entered plea of guilty; and if the Court so allows the withdrawal of the guilty plea, the State will thereupon move for dismissal of this criminal case.”
While Mann and Bridgman did plead guilty to a felony charge, the Court has not entered a judgment of conviction or imposed a specific sentence pending their successful completion of the program requirements.
