Woman waits out plea for more info
Shelly Marie Branchfield wants more time to hear what her accusers — investigators and witnesses — would say in their depositions before she makes up her mind whether to proceed to trial or plead guilty.For now, her two cases, in which she is charged with second-degree theft and third-degree burglary is set for trial Jan. 15.
In a court hearing Wednesday, District Court Judge William Dowell confirmed the trial date pending notification from prosecutors and defense attorney Susan Diehl, if a plea agreement is reached.
Diehl said they “have been attempting negotiations,” and Branchfield decided to wait for what the depositions may bring.
Late in September, the 38-year-old West Burlington woman was accused of writing a bad check at a local electronics store for a plasma-screen television, then swapping it for $400 worth of crack cocaine.
A Rex TV representative called the number listed on the check and spoke with a woman who identified herself as Branchfield’s mother. After hearing the description of the suspect given by the manager, the mother confirmed it was her daughter who bought the television.
Branchfield, according to the case file, told investigators she knew the bank account was closed the day she wrote the check for the TV.
In her third-degree burglary case, Branchfield, investigators said, entered a home at 903 Ash St. and tried to steal a 13-inch television set.
The renter of the home told police a neighbor told her of seeing a woman, later identified as Branchfield, walk into the rear door of the home and come out carrying the TV.
When the neighbor confronted the woman, Branchfield claimed to be an employee of the landlord.
Branchfield, the neighbor said, returned the TV and walked away.
Branchfield told investigators she was helping the landlord clean up and remove items from the home. She said no one told her, but she was taking the TV to a van parked in front of 903 Ash St.
The landlord said Branchfield had stolen from him in the past and would not hire her to do any work for him, claiming she allegedly steals items then turns around to trade those items for drugs.
Tags: burglary