Guilty Plea in Kenova Carjacking
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Updated: 7:26 PM Jan 12, 2009
Guilty Plea in Kenova Carjacking
A man charged with carjacking an elderly Kenova man has pleaded guilty to the crime.
Posted: 4:18 PM Jan 12, 2009
Reporter: Randy Yohe
Email Address: randy.yohe@wsaz.com
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HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- A man charged with carjacking an elderly Kenova man has pleaded guilty to the crime.

Johnny Dale Fitzpatrick entered the plea Monday afternoon in U.S. District Court in Huntington.

In the plea agreement, Fitzpatrick admitted he pushed the 83-year-old Kenova man out of his van last June, then drove away.

Fitzpatrick told the judge, "He didn't remember if the van was moving, he was high on drugs, and didn't give it much thought."

The maximum sentence Fitzpatrick can get is 15 years in prison with no parole or appeal. He will be sentenced in April.

Fitzpatrick also faces state charges in Ohio and Kentucky. He is suspected of armed robberies in West Portsmouth, Inez and Ashland.

Police say WSAZ viewer tips helped identify the suspect after we showed surveillance shots from the Ashland store robbery.

Fitzpatrick was arrested in Columbus, Ohio; inside his car, police say they found an air gun, a steel pipe and two baseball bats.

At the time of his arrest, prosecutors said that Fitzpatrick was a well known criminal, having served time in prison for felony drug trafficking.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Carol on Jan 14, 2009 at 06:20 AM

Samuel Smith is my father... if anyone taped this or can download the video, could someone please send me a copy... Father doesn't get out much now that its getting colder and his gait is somewhat shuffling now. He wanted to go to the trial but just wasn't able to go so perhaps if he could get a copy of this, it might appease his mind somewhat... especially as the car was moving at the time he was shoved out of the van and Ms. Lacy was an eye witness to it but was not called by either police or the FBI. Thank all of you for your prayers for both my parents because Mom feels partly to blame for leaving him in the car instead of urging him more to come inside. Needless to say we are all watching each other more closely for now only our family but for others as well.
Posted by: jane doe on Jan 13, 2009 at 01:55 PM

Fitzpatrick should be ashamed of himself. being on drugs is no excuse for what he did.maybe if he spent his money on something more productive than drugs than maybe he wouldnt have to break into cars or hurt people.drugs & alcohol are overrated.maybe Fitzpatrick going to jail at least for 10 yrs. will make him learn his lesson,& to get off doing drugs.
Posted by: wow on Jan 13, 2009 at 08:34 AM

15 yrs. thats not enough for him. hope i dont ever run into him looks to trashes. 15 yrs. thats all. he will be back out on streets in 2 yrs.
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