Teen Receives Probation Time for Robbery Where Police Officer Was Beaten

I am a medically retired probation and parole officer from Florida. We have sentencing guidelines to score people for the amount of jail time or probation recommendation on the Pre-sentencing reports we do. With the injuries sustained to the victim being a brain injury, many courts are starting to take that particular injury more seriously. I am surprised to see he got probation instead of jail or prison time.  Debbie  Teen Receives Probation Time for Robbery Where Police Officer Was Beaten By Trish Mehaffey, Reporter Robert Watkins glances over his shoulder prior to his pre-disposition hearing in Linn County District Court in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday, August 11, 2009. Watkins plead guilty to the first degree robbery and interference with official acts causing injury for his involvement in the March 29, 2009 robbery of David Scanlon that also resulted in serious brain injuries to Cedar Rapids Police Officer Tim Davis. Watkins was charged as an adult but as a minor the pre-disposition hearing returns him to juvenile court for supervision and disposition. Just prior to his 18th birthday Watkins will have a final disposition in District Court were he may be sentenced to up to 30 years in prison. (Cliff Jette/The Gazette) EMAIL THIS ARTICLE FACEBOOK DIGG PRINT THIS ARTICLE COMMENTS Story Created: Jun 5, 2012 at 2:44 PM CDT Story Updated: Jun 5, 2012 at 5:16 PM CDT  CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – A 17-year-old involved in a 2009 robbery where a police officer was seriously injured by another man in the incident received a suspended sentence and probation after successfully completing time at the Boy’s Training School in Eldora. Robert Watkins, who turns 18 next week, said Tuesday he has matured since he committed the crime at age 14 and has “grown stronger in the Lord. If he can forgive me anyone can.” Watkins said he looks at life differently now. “I’ve grown up,” Watkins said. “I want to be a better man and a better person.” Watkins received a deferred sentence in August 2009 for first-degree robbery and interference with official acts causing serious injury. Watkins, along with Maurice Harden, now 17, robbed David Scanlon and Austin Switalski, both of Cedar Rapids, March 29, 2009. Cedar Rapids Officer Tim Davis, 33, responded to that robbery later that day and he was beaten unconscious by another robbery suspect, Jose Rockiett, now 20, of Cedar Rapids, who was with Watkins and Harden. Rockiett hit Davis in the head with the butt of a weapon. Watkins and Harden ran away and were later arrested. Watkins also received a deferred sentence on assault causing bodily injury, a misdemeanor, in another case and that judgement was discharged Tuesday. Watkins, the same day of the robbery, hit Jacob Kimpton, 9, of Cedar Rapids, and broke his nose. Watkins apologized to Tim and his now ex-wife Stephanie Davis during the hearing for his part in the crime and asked Stephanie Davis, who attended the hearing, to forgive him. Stephanie Davis in a victim’s impact statement told Watkins she would never forgive him or forget “but I’m ready to move on.” She told Watkins he took something from her family but she wants to move forward and hopes to some day be able to drive down First Avenue NE, where the incident happened, and not think about this crime. Sixth Judicial District Judge Ian Thornhill said the court had three options – suspend the sentences, give him jail time or continue to defer his sentence, but he felt suspending the sentences and five years probation time was the best option. Thornhill said Watkins’ attitude has changed and he has become more focused and has matured but he needs supervision to continue his success. Watkins will remain at a residence shelter, in custody, until he turns 18 June 14, and then his probation will begin. Thornhill also expanded the no contact orders for the Davis’ and robbery victims for five years. Harden also pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and interference with official acts causing serious injury and received a deferred sentence. His sentenced were also suspended and he received five years probation two months ago. Rockiett, now 20, was convicted in 2010 of first-degree robbery, willful injury causing serious injury and interference with official acts causing serious injury and/or while displaying a dangerous weapon. He is serving a 25 year prison term. Davis returned to full time patrol by himself last December after more than two years. Davis suffered a fractured skull and severe brain swelling from the assault. Doctors initially gave Tim Davis a slim chance to live. He spend 39 days in the hospital. The assault left him with short-term memory loss and made problem-solving difficult, according to family and co-workers. It also changed his personality.