the new economy

[Dan Scanlan <coolhanduke@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

AP via CNN - Oct 12, 2006
http://edition.cnn.com/2006/LAW/10/12/robber.retirement.ap/index.html


Jobless man asks judge for jail time

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) -- A man who couldn't find steady work came up
with a
plan to make it through the next few years until he could collect Social
Security: He robbed a bank, then handed the money to a guard and
waited for
police.

On Wednesday, Timothy J. Bowers told a judge a three-year prison
sentence
would suit him, and the judge obliged.

"At my age, the jobs available to me are minimum-wage jobs. There is age
discrimination out there," Bowers, who turns 63 in a few weeks, told
Judge
Angela White.

The judge told him: "It's unfortunate you feel this is the only way
to deal
with the situation."

Bowers said he had been able to find only odd jobs after the drug
wholesaler he made deliveries for closed in 2003. He walked to a bank
and
handed a teller a note demanding cash in an envelope. The teller gave
him
four $20 bills and pushed a silent alarm.

Bowers handed the money to a security guard standing in the lobby and
told
him it was his day to be a hero.

He pleaded guilty to robbery, and a court-ordered psychological exam
found
him competent.

"It's a pretty sad story when someone feels that's their only
alternative,"
said defense attorney Jeremy W. Dodgion, who described Bowers as "a
charming old man."

Prosecutors had considered arguing against putting Bowers in prison at
taxpayer expense, but they worried he would do something more
reckless to
be put behind bars.

"It's not the financial plan I would choose, but it's a financial plan,"
prosecutor Dan Cable said.

Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.