Syracuse Teen Anthony Stewart Sentenced to Up to Six Years in Juvenile Detention for Robbery that Netted Him 7 Cents

Judge William Walsh throws book at black teen, Anthony Stewart, sentenced him up to six years in prison for robbery of 73-year-old man that netted him 7 cents.

Syracuse teen Anthony Stewart will spend the next two to six years locked up in juvenile detention for robbing a 73 year old man last December, which netted him seven cents. Some people have said the sentence was too severe, considering that a jury just let a murderer, Casey Anthony, walk Scot-free for the murder of her daughter Caylee Anthony, despite the fact she said quite clearly she didn't know where her daughter was for 31 days. On the flip-side, tough love was warranted in this case. You have to nip the bad behavior in the bud before it progresses to something far more serious.

Onondaga County Judge William Walsh said on Monday that he decided to throw the book at Anthony Stewart, 15, because the teen didn't plead guilty to robbing a 73-year-old man last December. Stewart and a pal, Skyler Ninham, 16, were charged with jumping and robbing the man on Dec. 22.

The two were toting BB guns that resembled real pistols when they knocked the victim to the ground, broke his glasses and robbed him of just 7 cents - the only money the man had on him at the time, prosecutors said.

Ninham pleaded guilty in July and was sentenced to one to four years in state prison. Stewart decided to fight the case. A jury found him guilty of first-degree robbery. He'll serve time in a juvenile detention facility. Source: NY Daily News

Yes, the punishment does seem severe, but don't we have to draw the line somewhere? Maybe the sentence will save this teenager from heading down the wrong path and help him turn his life around. He and his friend were quite cognizant of their actions and their intentions were not good. On that basis, the judge had every right to throw the book at him. Now it remains to be seen if this judge exercises the same level of conduct when handing down sentences for similar cases and more serious crimes.