Man tries to convince court that stress of September 11 attacks caused him to go an three-state bank robbery spree
NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- The so-called "Bandage Bandit," who hit banks in Fairfield County, New York and New Jersey, is citing the stress from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in a bid for less prison time.
A lawyer Jason Battista, 28, of Valhalla, N.Y., who pleaded guilty to the robberies in October, said he has until Aug. 12 to write a sentencing memorandum in which he will try to persuade the court to give Battista a reduced sentence.
Battista pleaded guilty to robbing 15 banks in Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, New York and New Jersey.
Attorney Stephen Seeger said his argument will be based on a psychological evaluation of Battista who was "impacted deeply" by witnessing the terrorist attack and it may have contributed to his interstate bank robbery spree.
Under a plea deal, Battista faces 57 to 80 months in prison for the robberies and a $250,000 fine per count.
From August to December 2003, Battista robbed banks by handing tellers a note demanding money and suggesting that he had a gun.
He acquired the bandage nickname because he wore white medical tape on his face or pulled his shirt over his face in all the crimes.
http://www.wnbc.com/money/4682469/detail.html
NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- The so-called "Bandage Bandit," who hit banks in Fairfield County, New York and New Jersey, is citing the stress from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks in a bid for less prison time.
A lawyer Jason Battista, 28, of Valhalla, N.Y., who pleaded guilty to the robberies in October, said he has until Aug. 12 to write a sentencing memorandum in which he will try to persuade the court to give Battista a reduced sentence.
Battista pleaded guilty to robbing 15 banks in Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, New York and New Jersey.
Attorney Stephen Seeger said his argument will be based on a psychological evaluation of Battista who was "impacted deeply" by witnessing the terrorist attack and it may have contributed to his interstate bank robbery spree.
Under a plea deal, Battista faces 57 to 80 months in prison for the robberies and a $250,000 fine per count.
From August to December 2003, Battista robbed banks by handing tellers a note demanding money and suggesting that he had a gun.
He acquired the bandage nickname because he wore white medical tape on his face or pulled his shirt over his face in all the crimes.
http://www.wnbc.com/money/4682469/detail.html
