BATAVIA — Nearly a year after he was supposed to be sentenced and after three more postponements, a city man who was on the lam for seven months was finally sentenced in Genesee County Court Tuesday.
The sentencing was a harsh one: 24 years in state prison.
Devon O. Wright, 21, had pleaded guilty in November 2021 to a number of violent and sex-related crimes committed during a two-year period.
Tuesday he was sentenced to 12 years in prison with five years of post-release supervision for attempted first-degree assault, 364 days in jail for third-degree assault, seven years in prison with 10 years of post-release supervision; and five years determinate with three years of post-release supervision for attempted second-degree criminal possession of a weapon.
All of the terms are to be served consecutively, meaning Wright faces 24 years in state prison.
Wright had been scheduled to be sentenced a year ago after accepting a plea deal before his trial was to begin in County Court.
He asked to remain free pending sentencing so that he could be there for the birth of his child. Instead, he fled town after a judge allowed him to remain free.
That lead to a $2,500 reward being offered for his capture.
Wright was eventually found in Lockport in July and returned to Genesee County, where he was jailed without bail to await sentencing Sept. 27.
That date was adjourned at the request of his new attorney, who asked for more time to go over the case.
A new date was set for October and that, too was adjourned at his attorney’s request.
Wright was supposed to be in court again on Nov. 15.
He appeared and asked for a new attorney and said he wanted to withdraw his guilty pleas. The case was adjourned until Tuesday, where Judge Melissa Lightcap Cianfrini denied his requests and proceeded with sentencing.
Wright piled up dozens of charges in 2020 and 2021.
Some were related to a gun deal where Wright attempted to buy a gun from Jacob Sponaugle, 22, of Batavia. The deal went bad, with Sponaugle shooting a third person involved in the deal.
Sponaugle and Wright were supposed to face trial but Wright failed to show up, saying he was with his girlfriend who was about to give birth.
He was arrested and then pleaded guilty to three violent felony counts: attempted first-degree assault, criminal sexual act and criminal possession of a weapon.
Sponaugle was found guilty and is serving a 15-year prison term.
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