19-year-old gets 30 years for crime spree

8/3/2004

Tears streamed down the face of Robert Camara yesterday after he learned he did not get the 18-year prison sentence Lucas County prosecutors had suggested.

Instead, Camara received a sentence from Lucas County Common Pleas Court Judge Ruth Ann Franks that is nearly twice as long.

Judge Franks sentenced the 19-year-old defendant to 30 years in prison for a string of robberies and burglaries that he committed in April.

He also received the remaining two years of a sentence for convictions on escape and grand theft out of Marion County.

"[Camara] is a career criminal and a dangerous one at that," Judge Franks said.

On April 5 - just three months after he was released from prison - Camara robbed a man of his pickup. Camara's crime spree ended nearly two weeks later after police arrested him for invading the home of a West Toledo man and fracturing his skull.

Camara wept in the jury box in Judge Franks' courtroom. As deputies took him from the courtroom he sobbed as he told an unidentified relative "The judge gave me 32 years."

Camara, of 904 Prouty Ave., entered an Alford plea on July 15 to two counts of aggravated burglary and two counts of robbery.

In an Alford plea, a defendant does not admit guilt but pleads guilty to a lesser charge to escape more severe penalties had the case gone to trial.

When she accepted the pleas, Judge Franks warned the defendant that even though prosecutors had recommended 18 years, she was not bound by the agreement and could sentence him to the maximum 36 years.

Judge Franks said a Lucas County Probation Department officer who talked to the defendant for a presentence evaluation reported that he showed no remorse for the crimes.

In fact, Judge Franks said the officer wrote that Camara goofed around with a nearby inmate while the officer was interviewing him and told the officer that he had resigned himself to doing the 18-year sentence.

Camara stabbed Michael Liniger, 61, during a robbery at his home in the 4100 block of Craigwood Road on April 19. Mr. Liniger allowed Camara to come inside to use the phone to call for help because he said his car was out of gas.

Mr. Liniger gave Camara $2, but Camara grabbed him around the throat and held a screwdriver to his neck, stabbing Mr. Liniger in the arm as they struggled over the weapon.

Camara's girlfriend, Joan Stuck, 19, waited in a vehicle outside the home while Camara robbed Mr. Liniger.

Several hours later, Camara and Stuck entered the home of Gary Wahl, 67, in the 430 block of Lyman Avenue through an unlocked front door and demanded money. Mr. Wahl was struck on the back of the head, possibly with a wine bottle. He suffered a fractured skull. They fled with money and jewelry.

Stuck, of 884 South Ave., entered an Alford plea to one count of robbery and two counts of aggravated burglary. Judge Franks sentenced her last week to 12 years in prison.

Camara threatened the victim when he stole his pickup in the April 5 robbery in a parking lot. Camara also was accused of brandishing a handgun during the robbery of a man on April 17 in the 800 block of South Avenue.