DELHI — A Delaware County Court appearance Tuesday, Nov. 12, brought a potential turning point in a felony drug possession case against Shannon M. Finch, 52, of Margaretville, accused of possessing methamphetamine or its components in the town of Middletown on May 5. Finch entered a not guilty plea in October and was released on his own recognizance due to the non-qualifying bail status of the charge.
On Tuesday, Assistant District Attorney Schuyler Kinneman extended a plea offer to Finch, proposing to reduce the class C felony charge to an attempted charge, a class E felony, in exchange for a recommended sentence of five years probation. Defense attorney Assistant Public Defender David Smith neither accepted nor rejected the plea deal.
Judge John Hubbard confirmed receipt of a Certificate of Compliance and Notice of Readiness on Nov. 7, though Smith noted potential deficiencies in the documentation. Hubbard provisionally ruled the compliance certificate sufficient, granting Smith two weeks to file a formal objection. Kinneman committed to respond to Smith’s objections.
Finch was continued on recognizance, scheduled to return to court Dec. 9 for a further appearance.
