Saratoga County District Attorney Karen A. Heggen announced that Laurie M. Cannelli, AKA Laurie M. Kelleher (DOB: 09-08-64), of 425 Franklin Plaza, Ballston Spa, NY, pled guilty today in Saratoga County Court to Burglary in the Second Degree, in violation of section 140.25(1) of the Penal Law, a class “C” Violent Felony, and Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance 4th, in violation of section 220.09(1) of the Penal Law, a class “C” felony, before Saratoga County Court Judge James A. Murphy, III.
Cannelli pleaded guilty and admitted today in Court that on March 10, 2017 she unlawfully entered a home with the intent to assault the resident and in doing so caused the resident physical injury, and additionally, that on October 29, 2016 she unlawfully possessed more than an eighth of an ounce of cocaine.
District Attorney Heggen stated that Cannelli was the final co-defendant to admit guilt with regard to the Milton home invasion, which she indicated was not a random attack, but rather a drug-involved crime. Timothy Sims, Linda Sims and Arthur Brust, Jr. all previously plead guilty with regard to their involvement in the attack. Heggen said, “Cannelli was the ring-leader in the Burglary case and this plea and proposed sentence will insure that she will be removed from our community for a significant period of time”.
Assistant District Attorney Charles Bucca prosecuted the Burglary case and First Assistant District Attorney Alan Poremba prosecuted the cocaine possession case. Sentencing is scheduled for August 9, 2017, at which time the defendant is expected to be sentenced to 12 years in prison followed by 5 years of post-release supervision for her conviction of Burglary in the 2nd Degree and 8 years in prison followed by 1 1/2 – 3 years post release supervision for the Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the 4th Degree. These two sentences are expected to be served concurrently.