By Bill Robinson
A 62-year-old woman who was charged with robbery after she fought with Belk department store employees Sept. 23 when they attempted to detain her on shoplifting charges pleaded guilty to reduced charges Wednesday in Madison District Court.
Noretta Moss will serve 60 days of home incarceration after pleading guilty to theft by unlawful taking. The remainder of a 360-day sentence was conditionally discharged by Judge Charles Hardin, based on an agreement between Madison County Attorney Marc Robbins and the Kentucky Department of Public Advocacy.
The incident began, according to a Richmond Police report, when a store security officer confronted Moss in the parking lot of the Richmond Centre store. She allegedly tried to stab the officer twice in the arm with her car keys and then punch the officer in the face in an attempt to flee. Other store employees subdued her, however, until police arrived.
Moss was accused of taking more than $500 in merchandise without paying, according to the police report.
The plea agreement calls for Moss not to enter any retail establishments during her home incarceration unless accompanied by another adult. She will be allowed to attend church and keep medical appointments. She also must continue receiving treatment from the Comprehensive Care mental health clinic for a condition Robbins said was related to the crime.
Afterward, Robbins said Moss’ case was not comparable to that of a former Eastern Kentucky University football player, Davin Walker, who was charged with first-degree robbery July 3, 2008, after he fought with Walmart store employees who confronted him on suspicion of shoplifting. One store employee was knocked to the ground, according to the store’s surveillance video.
Walker, a wide receiver from Miami, Fla., allegedly injured a 69-year-old female customer as he fled the store, knocking her down. A shopping cart landed on the woman’s thumb, tearing off the tip of the appendage. Walker also allegedly ran from the premises and was apprehended by Richmond Police on the Eastern Bypass near Roy Kidd Stadium.
He was sentenced to five years in prison on Jan. 9 by Madison Circuit Judge Julia Hylton Adams after he pleaded guilty to reduced charges of second-degree assault and first-degree fleeing.
Bill Robinson can be reached at brobinson@ richmondregister.com or at 624-6622.
