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Whitley judge demands that thieves return his knife
Posted On 04 Aug 2010
Two Corbin men, who are accused of burglarizing numerous Whitley County businesses and offices during a 16-day crime spree and then going on the six o’clock news and confessing, can now add one circuit judge to the list of people who didn’t find their crime spree to be much of a laughing matter.
James Douglas Sprinkles, 18, and James Day, 19, both of Corbin, were indicted last month on eight counts of third-degree burglary.
During their very brief court appearance Monday afternoon, Circuit Judge Dan Ballou did all the talking.
Before recusing himself from hearing the case, Ballou ordered both men not to say a word, told them that he wanted his $5 knife back that says "Marines" on it, and then ordered them out of his courtroom. The pair have been incarcerated since their arrest.
Among the places broken into from May 22 through June 6 were Corbin Barber Shop, Roberta’s Market, Forest Bowling Lanes, Vittorinos Cucina Italian Restaurant, Contours Gym, Joy’s Kuntry Kookin, and the Kentucky and Probation Parole Office.
Ballou’s wife, Angie, is a probation and parole officer and the knife was apparently taken from her office during the break-in.
A piece of evidence that the grand jury didn’t hear in the men’s case, was an interview that the suspects gave to a Lexington television station WKYT confessing to much of the criminal activity, Commonwealth’s Attorney Allen Trimble said last month.
Trimble said that the interview would be "an element presented at trial."
During the June 11 jail house interview with WKYT reporter Phil Pendleton, both men admitted to the allegations and claimed their efforts were for a good cause, which was to help Day’s fiance with a medical condition. They have since broken up, and Day is unsure of what her condition is.
They also admitted to consuming much of the alcohol taken from Vittorinos.
Both sort of apologized during the interview for "bothering the community." Sprinkles said that he wasn’t sorry for what he did though.
Both said during the interview that they would do it again.
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HooRah! I know you don’t need any help Judge Dan but I’d be more than happy to take care of the thieves for you if possible. Veterans stand up for veterans and always will. See you and Miss Angie at the next Rand rally.
Semper Fi Judge Ballou, it really ticks you off when someone takes your property that you worked hard to obtain. And when some low life steals something from you it tends to really stick to you and you want to see that person answer for their crimes. Everyone is out for something nowadays and you never know who is going to be affected by crimes that people commit. It’s a good thing it wasn’t a valuable item but a sentimental object can have the same effect as valuable gear.
I’m and old salty Sailor and I know that you don’t **** off a Judge who is a former Marine Major who has seen recent combat duty. It’s a death wish.
judge ballou is one man that i would not want to cross. he is definitely a true marine….i was in the courtroom when this all took place, and the bailiff could not get them out fast enough. judge ballou even asked the bailiff several minutes after they were removed from the courtroom,” if they were taking and put in the holding cell”…the bailiff replied, “yes sir, your honor”….what really got me , is when judge ballou let it be known to these 2 boys that a knife that was taken, belonged to him, he held up his hand and said it’s a little knife about this long, (mimmicking about 3 to 4 inches) and he stated” it says marines, and i want my knife back, ” there was a lady sitting directly behind me, and she must of been a family member to one of these boys because she said”oh sh*t”, in a very low tone voice. i am by all means not a perfect person, and has never claimed to be…..i was also to go in front of the judge that day, and i really got scared after these 2 boys really ****ed him off. it seems what i was in that courtroom for that day was minor compared to the things that i heard, and the failing of 3 drug test who he immeditately put into custody. my childrens father was with me that day in court, and also stood up with me to speak to the judge, he is an ex marine himself, and as we were leaving, my 9 year old son looked at me and said”i hope that judge gets his knife back mom”…….i replied, i do to son, now let’s go home…….to judge ballou, if your reading this, my children want you to have your knife back, and we really hope that who-ever posseses this knife will return it to you. god bless you and your family…your a great man…..semper fi