Brewer Allegedly Violates Court Orders; Bail Set

MASSENA - A Massena man charged with violating a court order, directing him to stay away from the woman described in court papers as his girlfriend, days after it was issued was remanded back to the county correctional facility following an appearance in Massena Court.

Massena Justice James M. Crandall remanded Scott F. Brewer, 37, of 93 1/2 Maple St., Massena, back to the St. Lawrence County Correctional Facility with bail continued at $5,000 cash or $10,000 bond on two third-degree assault charges and a second-degree criminal contempt count.

Judge Crandall noted Brewer had told him during his arraignment that he had been waiting for an evaluation appointment at the Massena Mental Health Clinic for several weeks.

"The police feel he is out of control, very violent when he is intoxicated. I've also asked probation to have him evaluated," the local justice noted.

Defense attorney Brian Pilatzke had asked the court to consider releasing Brewer from custody, noting he could live with a family member while released under the supervision of the probation department.

Assistant District Attorney Jonathan Becker opposed that request. He noted the criminal contempt charge lodged against Brewer Tuesday was his fourth misdemeanor arrest in a matter of weeks.

Judge Crandall noted he was remanding Brewer back to the jail. "I'm concerned so I will continue with the securing order," he said.

Mr. Pilatzke said the St. Lawrence County District Attorney's Office has made a global plea offer that would resolve the pending charges, but he said he needed time to discuss the offer with Brewer. The case was adjourned until Sept. 15.

Brewer had been charged with two counts of third-degree assault and two counts of second-degree harassment at 10 p.m. Aug. 14. Justice Gerald P. Sharlow signed a temporary order of protection directing him to stay away from the two alleged victims in the case.

One assault charge stems from Brewer allegedly pushing Nina Belile to the ground, striking her several times on Aug. 14 and then striking his girlfriend, Sharon Mitchell, in the face, causing bruising.

Ms. Belile was taken to Massena Memorial Hospital for treatment after complaining of neck and back pain.

The second assault charge stems from an incident at 12:15 a.m. July 23 in which Brewer allegedly pushed and struck Ms. Mitchell in the face with a closed fist several times. He then allegedly pushed her to the floor and climbed on top of her face and chest so could not breathe. Police said she suffered numerous bruises to her forehead and left eye.

Police said he violated a no contact order of protection Aug. 24 when he was visiting with Ms. Mitchell at his residence.

In other recent court action before Judge Crandall:

* Lacey J. Hollinger, 23, of 168 Jefferson Ave., Massena, was released from custody and placed under the supervision of the probation department. She had been held at the county correctional with bail set at $500 cash or $1,000 bond after being charged in late July with fourth-degree grand larceny and second-degree criminal contempt. The grand larceny count had been reduced to a petit larceny charge.

Judge Crandall had suggested during Hollinger's arraignment in July that his options were limited since the probation department had announced it would no longer place defendants in pre-trial release on electronic home monitoring. Hollinger had told the court she was homeless at the time of her arrest after returning to Massena.

She indicated she had been living in a domestic violence shelter in the Utica area before returning to St. Lawrence County. She has reportedly been staying with friends and relatives in the Massena and Canton area since coming back to St. Lawrence County.

The criminal contempt charge alleged Hollinger violated a stay away order of protection signed in March by St. Lawrence County Family Court Judge Barbara Potter that directed her to stay away from Evan Delosh. She reportedly stayed in a tent with Delosh on July 25-26 at 32 Howard St.

The petit larceny charge alleges she stole four rings on July 23 from the home of her aunt, JoAnne Duvall, Wilkinson Road, Canton.

She reportedly sold the rings, valued at $1,150, to an acquaintance in Massena for $90. The stolen jewelry was described as a marquis solitaire yellow gold diamond ring, a yellow gold wedding band and two sapphire rings.

Judge Crandall agreed to release Hollinger after being told she would be residing with her children's aunt on Jefferson Avenue.

The court released Hollinger under the supervision of the probation department with a stipulation she stay away from the Duvall residence in Canton.

"We don't want you returning to the scene of the crime," Judge Crandall noted.

Hollinger agreed to those terms, but she said she had talked to her aunt since the arrest. "We're good now," she told the court.