Staff Writer

Two Carlisle men were given prison sentences Monday for robbing their neighborhood convenience store more than a year ago.

Jamil Burke and Demias Witherspoon, both of 3421 Janie Goree Boulevard, pleaded guilty to armed robbery. Circuit Judge John C. Hayes sentenced Burke to 12 years in prison and Witherspoon to 10 years in prison. Burke turns 27 today. Witherspoon is 21.

16th Circuit Solicitor Kevin Brackett said both men will have to serve 85 percent of their sentence before they are eligible for parole.

Deputy Solicitor John Anthony said Burke received a longer sentence because he had a prior criminal record

“He had been convicted already in York County in 2001 for burglary and grand larceny and in Chester County he had been convicted of burglary and second-degree arson,” Anthony said. “Witherspoon's only conviction was for disorderly conduct in 2005.”

Anthony said Witherspoon, Burke and Burke's sister all lived in the same house in Carlisle and Witherspoon has a child with Burke's sister.

The robbery at Li'L Cricket on 3200 Janie Goree Boulevard occurred on April 20, 2007.

The clerk told Cpl. Dean Gibson and Deputy Wendy Childers that as she opened the store around 5:10 a.m. two men armed with handguns came from the side of the building and pushed her inside the store.

She said the men were dressed in dark clothing and wore sunglasses with their faces covered. One - later identified as Witherspoon - was tall and the other - identified as Burke - was shorter and closer to her height. Burke grabbed her and told her to open the safe. The clerk tried but was unsuccessful. Burke grabbed around $90 in twenty dollar bills and quarters and began handing money and other items over the counter to Witherspoon.

Burke then forced her outside and told her to get in the trunk of her car. The clerk said she pleaded with him to let her go. He did and both men ran away.

Newport cigarettes and Black and Mild cigars worth around $100 were taken.

Lt. Robbie Hines was called to the scene and Sgt. James Wicks and Deputy Tim Gaston looked for the suspects. A witness told Gibson that about the time of the robbery he saw the men running by his house on Sartor Avenue.

Burke and Witherspoon initially were charged with attempted kidnapping of the clerk. Sheriff Howard Wells said authorities believed the men planned to kill her.

Burke also was charged with carrying or concealing a weapon and possession of contraband in connection with an incident at the Union County Jail on Nov. 15, 2007.

A jail officer received a tip that Burke had a wire that he planned to use to stab her with. He also had two bottles of cleaning fluid in a medicated shampoo bottle left by a former inmate. He planned to spray the fluid in a jail officer's face in an attempt to escape.

Officers searched Burke's cell and found the bottles and the 7 1/2 inch wire, which is called a dirk or a shank in jail language.

The following people pleaded guilty Monday in General Sessions Court:

Jeremy Hughes, 904 Lakeside Drive, to possession of a weapon on school property, six months probation.

Melanie Payne, 308 Hicks St., to possession of a controlled substance, one year or $250 plus court costs.