SUNBURY - The sentencing of a 52-year-old Mount Carmel man accused of punching a borough policeman in the chest in December was delayed for a second time Thursday morning to grant his attorney more time to review a pre-sentence investigation report that calls for him to serve state jail time.
Craig Gene Lambert, of 325 N. Vine St., Mount Carmel, who remains incarcerated at Northumberland County Prison, was ordered by Northumberland County Judge Charles Saylor to appear for a pre-trial conference April 13.
At Thursday's legal proceeding, a pre-sentence investigation report submitted by the county adult probation department indicated Lambert wasn't eligible for county prison time due to his prior criminal record. But Lambert's attorney, E.J. Rymza of Williamsport, disputed that finding and was granted more time to argue his case.
Assistant District Attorney William Cole is prosecuting the case.
On Feb. 27, Lambert was scheduled for sentencing, but that proceeding was continued until Thursday when the defendant's prior criminal record score couldn't be verified.
Lambert pleaded guilty Sept. 26 to simple assault, resisting arrest and driving under the influence in connection with a Dec. 20 disturbance in the 200 block of East Fifth Street in Mount Carmel. An additional charge of aggravated assault filed by Patrolman David Donkochik will not be prosecuted at the time of sentencing in accordance with the plea agreement.
According to court documents, police found Lambert passed out in his running vehicle and was taken into custody. At the police station, police said Lambert began making derogatory remarks and obscene gestures. When he was advised that he was going to prison on a probation violation, Lambert became more verbally abusive and punched Donkochik in the chest and chin when the officer tried to place a transport belt on him, police said. Police had to restrain Lambert before he was placed in handcuffs for transport.