A Pottsville man with a criminal record dating back more than 35 years is headed to state prison after being sentenced twice Wednesday in Schuylkill County Court on charges stemming from two incidents in 2012 in the city.
A combative Norman K. Bensinger, 58, must serve four to 24 months in a state correctional institution under the terms of Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin's and Judge Charles M. Miller's sentences.
"You don't show any respect to the court," Miller told Bensinger, who had interrupted him more than once. "This case is replete with a total lack of respect to police officers."
Miller made his sentence of two to 12 months in prison consecutive to one of identical length Dolbin had imposed about an hour earlier.
"Thank you very much," Bensinger told Miller in response to the sentence.
Two juries had convicted Bensinger on consecutive days of his crimes.
In the case over which Miller presided, a jury convicted Bensinger on June 4 of one count of disorderly conduct, acquitted him of a second and could not reach a verdict on the third, which prosecutors eventually withdrew. Miller found Bensinger guilty of a charge of public drunkenness.
In the case over which Dolbin presided, the second jury convicted Bensinger on June 5 of criminal mischief. Dolbin found him guilty of disorderly conduct.
Pottsville police filed each set of charges against Bensinger.
They alleged he was drunk and disorderly on Nov. 17, 2012, and that he damaged a wall and acted disorderly on Oct. 11, 2012.
Bensinger also must pay costs, a $25 fine, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $780 restitution, undergo a mental health evaluation and perform 25 hours community service under the terms of his sentences.
Wearing a prison jumpsuit, handcuffs and a belt during each sentencing hearing, Bensinger blamed his neighbors for his problems and said the jurors were confused.
He also complained about losing his house and garage, saying he had nowhere to go.
"I worked my whole life. I had a house. I had a garage. What happened to that?" he asked Dolbin.
"I can't answer that," Dolbin answered.
Miller, who reviewed Bensinger's entire criminal history, and was interrupted several times by the defendant while doing so, was not intimidated by the rants against him.
"You can't control yourself," Miller said to Bensinger just before imposing the sentence.