Michael S. Sawyer will remain in prison until at least 2029
Michael T. Baldwin Reports
A New York State Appellate court has rejected an appeal from a Steuben County man. 43-year-old Michael S. Sawyer of Lindley must continue to serve his 12-year sentence at Auburn Correctional facility. On October 29, 2019, he was convicted of felony first-degree attempted kidnapping and felony criminal possession of a weapon.
In his appeal, Sawyer contended that his waiver of the right to appeal is not valid and that his felony guilty plea was not knowingly, voluntarily, and intelligently entered because County Court failed to advise him of the potential deportation consequences of such a plea.
Defendant additionally contends that his sentence is unduly harsh and severe and constitutes cruel and unusual punishment. The court denied each claim and at the conclusion of a two-page decision said “we conclude that the sentence is not unduly harsh or severe.” Sawyer will be eligible for parole in 2029.
