Judge Latham denies Campbell motion, sentences Rhonda Bilby's killer to 25 years

THE LEADER

BATH - A voluntary guilty plea to murder will stand in the case of Shawn Campbell.

Steuben County court Judge Joseph Latham Friday denied Campbell's motion to withdraw his guilty plea, and he was sentenced to two determinate terms of 25 years to life in state prison on two counts of second-degree murder. He also was sentenced on four other charges to two indeterminate sentences of two-to-four years.

"Campbell knowingly, intelligently and voluntarily pleaded guilty," Latham said when explaining why he denied the motion.

Campbell, 28, pleaded guilty in October to murdering Rhonda Bilby, 47, at her Bath home in September 2004. His surprise admission of guilt came seven days into his jury trial.

"This is a selfish and violent man," said Assistant District Attorney Brooks Baker, who prosecuted the case. "It is my sincere hope that 25 years is just the start of his sentence."

Campbell made no official statement to the court, but had several outbursts during the proceedings.

"I didn't kill her, you killed her," Campbell told Baker as he gave his pre-sentencing speech, adding maybe Baker should step into his shoes.

He also had a couple of profanity-laced outbursts.

In December, Campbell filed a withdrawal motion, claiming he was coerced and tricked into pleading guilty by his attorney, William Kelley. The Yates County man was appointed a new lawyer, James Ferratella, on Dec. 21.

Previously, Steuben County District Attorney John Tunney, Assistant District Attorney Brooks Baker and Kelley have each said Campbell's motion will likely be denied, although the final decision is up to Judge Joseph Latham. If Latham accepts Campbell's motion and declares a mistrial, the criminal process will start over from the beginning.

If the motion is denied, Campbell could be sentenced for the murder as early as today. In January, Baker said if the motion is denied, Campbell will likely face sentencing immediately after.

Campbell, who pleaded guilty to second-degree murder, burglary and larceny, could face up to life in prison when he is sentenced.

The handyman, who once did interior work for the victim, told the court he killed the former Avanex worker outside the rural Bath home she shared with her husband, Rawlin, around 8 a.m. Sept. 27, 2004.

Campbell had gone to the home to burglarize it but was surprised when Bilby returned home from work. The victim was fatally struck in the head with a wrench and dragged behind a propane tank in the back yard.

"Campbell

knowingly, intelligently and

voluntarily

pleaded guilty" - Steuben County Judge

Joseph Latham