Latest news with #CharlesWilson
RNZ News
28-05-2025
- General
- RNZ News
DNA helps unveil identity of pizza store robber after he left police scanner at scene
By Belinda Feek, Open Justice reporter of Charles Wilson, 41, was jailed when he appeared for sentencing in the Hamilton District Court for his part in the aggravated robbery of Hell Pizza Beerescourt in 2022. Photo: NZME / Belinda Feek A prolific burglar, on electronically monitored bail after breaking into a string of businesses, was busted for an aggravated robbery after leaving a police scanner - with his DNA on it - at the scene. Charles Wilson tried to convince a jury that he was only in the vicinity of Hell Pizza Beerescourt, Hamilton, because he was buying cannabis. He'd also tried to claim that his DNA was found on the scanner because he'd been selling them some months earlier. But, as Judge Stephen Clark told him in the Hamilton District Court on Monday, "Clearly, the jury didn't believe you". Wilson, 41, was ultimately jailed for two years and seven months, a shorter time to be served on top of his current three-year and four-month term for a spate of city burglaries in 2021. Wilson unsuccessfully defended the aggravated robbery charge for his more recent crime during a two-day jury trial in the Hamilton District Court in March this year. Wilson and his co-offender, who was never identified, were first spotted on CCTV walking towards the store at about 10.55pm on 30 September, 2022. "One turned to the other to say, 'Are you ready?', and they entered the pizza store," the judge said. Both men were wearing face masks, gloves, and hoodies. One was also armed with a crowbar and held it up threateningly while the other took the cash register. CCTV footage on Victoria Street showed the offenders running across the street away from Hell Pizza. Wilson was on electronically monitored bail at the time, and the jury had to decide whether Wilson was one of the two offenders. Although the Crown case was based on circumstantial evidence, it included movements uncovered from his monitored bracelet. It revealed that he left his house at 10.29pm and returned at 11.09pm. A Corrections staff member also testified that Wilson had been "foiling, or interfering, with his tag". Most important was the ESR evidence that came from a police scanner that was left on the counter and the DNA that was linked to Wilson. "That was extremely strong scientific support ... that it originated from you," the judge said. Wilson - who suffered a stroke while in custody on the charge - chose to give evidence, and while he admitted leaving his property, he denied foiling his bracelet. He said he went to buy cannabis at a Fairfield property, and gave specific details travelling from Bader, along Ulster St, and across the Fairfield Bridge and back again. As for the DNA on the scanner, Wilson said he knew a lot about police scanners and was selling them to help raise funds for his daughter. Crown solicitor Lexie Glaser said the armed robbery involved a high degree of premeditation and targeted the store, knowing that it was likely to have a decent amount of cash. Neither the store owner nor the staff wanted to provide victim impact statements, so it was unclear exactly how much money was stolen, but the till carried a $200 float. Complicating the sentencing slightly was the fact that Wilson was currently serving jail time on the burglary charges. Defence counsel Melissa James pushed for what's called a totality adjustment - or a shorter jail term - as although the offending happened when he was in the community, charges weren't laid until he was in custody. But Glaser disagreed and pushed for a four-and-a-half-year jail term to be added on top of his current prison time. As for remorse, James said her client had every right to defend the charge, and he must now live with the verdict. But it didn't mean he wasn't remorseful, she said. He was also taking steps towards rehabilitation as he was not only a father, but now a grandfather. "So his life is quite different. "There is motivation to make changes." Judge Clark noted Wilson's lengthy criminal history, which was littered with burglary convictions. "You have a very bad history of offending, Mr Wilson. "There are no aggravated robberies, but it runs to nine pages and includes 16 burglaries, 11 for receiving, and other dishonesty." A background report revealed a disruptive upbringing involving abuse and violence. It also revealed Wilson got "a rush" from committing crimes. He was also affiliated with Black Power. Judge Clark declined to issue any credit for remorse, but agreed with James' submission to add a cumulative jail term on top of his current sentence. He jailed Wilson for an additional two years and seven months. * This article was first published by The New Zealand Herald
Yahoo
15-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bulloch County Schools opt for $1 million in homeowner tax savings
STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAV) — The Bulloch County Board of Education has chosen to forgo more than $1 million in potential revenue, opting instead to keep money in the pockets of homeowners. The district is one of 34 in Georgia making this decision under the state's homestead exemption rule. School leaders said the decision means significant savings for residents who own and live in their homes, though the exact amounts won't be known until tax assessments are finalized. 'It's gonna reduce what the school district collects from people by $1 million, so whether that is $50 for you or $10 for me, we'll find out,' Superintendent Charles Wilson said. House Bill 581 prevents market value assessments from increasing property taxes. Instead, the state will set an annual inflation percentage that counties will use to determine property taxes on primary residences. 'We realize this could impact us and our tax collections, and we'll have to figure all that out later,' Wilson said. 'But their first priority in this was to pay attention to how primary residential homeowners were being impacted by double-digit reevaluation inflation.' Wilson emphasized that while the decision affects the school system's operational budget, everything else is paid for by property taxes. 'I always do encourage shopping locally because it's impacting our operations, it's impacting our ability to build schools, and it's impacting the ability for the county to do things,' Wilson said. Wilson said the area's industrial growth could serve as a financial cushion. He said even if companies receive tax incentives to build here, they must pay a Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) fee that supports the school district. 'Our development authority did step forward to make sure that Bulloch County schools got the tax collections on those industries, so that's a big boom for us,' Wilson said. Wilson added that no major cuts to school programs are expected. The construction of the new Southeast Bulloch High School will also continue as planned, as those funds come from sales taxes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bulloch County BOE district says yes to new homestead exemption
STATESBORO, Ga. (WSAV) – Bulloch County taxpayers who own a primary residence there should see stabilization in their annual tax bills after the Bulloch County Board of Education decided to allow a new statewide property tax exemption to take effect. The school district's preliminary estimates indicate that it will save local homeowners more than $1 million annually in property taxes. Under Georgia House Bill 581, known as the 'Property Tax Relief and Reform for Georgians,' a statewide homestead exemption limits property tax increases to a state-established inflation factor. Local governments, including school districts, had the option to opt out of the exemption by March 1, 2025. However, the Bulloch County Board of Education chose to take no action, which means that the exemption will automatically go into effect and benefit homeowners who pay taxes on their primary residence. Bulloch County is among approximately 34 school districts across Georgia that have chosen not to opt out of the exemption. 'Our district will continue to monitor its financial outlook as the exemption takes effect,' said Charles Wilson, superintendent of schools. 'We currently have the financial capacity to allow this exemption to take effect and serve its intended purpose, while evaluating its longer-term effect for future budget considerations. We remain committed to being a good steward of the community's resources while providing a quality education for our students.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
