Thomas and Patrick Pridemore, both 19, of Ewing, Va., received the same sentence for their roles in the January 2007 breaking and entering, conspiracy, and larceny offenses committed against John D. Godsey and his late wife, in their Ewing residence. Lee County Circuit Court Judge Tammy S. McElyea also placed the two brothers on supervised probation for five years following their release.
In court Friday, Judge McElyea told the two brothers that she found their actions in committing the crimes “very troubling.” Both were initially sentenced to 10 years in prison on each of the felony convictions and then suspended all of the time, except for two years each. Thomas Pridemore also received a twelve-month sentence for petit larceny.
Commonwealth Attorney Shawn Hines, in presenting evidence in the trial, established that Thomas, Patrick, and a juvenile co-defendant targeted the Godsey’s residence on the night of January 14, 2007, knowing that Mrs. Godsey was battling cancer. The brothers observed an ambulance pick up Mrs. Godsey that night and transport her to the hospital. According to Hines, the co-defendants knew that with Mrs. Godsey’s illness she would have pain medication in the house, and decided to break-in and take the pain medication for themselves.
Around midnight, the brothers and the co-defendant set out towards the Godsey residence, pried open a window, and then one or more of the defendants entered the residence stealing the Godseys’ medications. Patrick Pridemore initially was scared and ran off, but returned to the residence at least one time to check on the others’ progress in obtaining pills. Following the break-in, Thomas and the juvenile shared the pain medication. Patrick asked for his cut of the pills, but was told by the others that none were taken, Hines explained.
During the break-in, the juvenile dropped his mother’s cardinal card through the board of the Godsey’s porch. The next morning the juvenile returned to the residence, in an attempt to retrieve the card. Mr. Godsey became suspicious when the young man asked if he could remove boards from Godsey’s porch in order to retrieve something he had just dropped.
The police were notified and they retrieved the card from the porch. From there, the investigation led to the juvenile co-defendant which, in turn, led to the Pridemore brothers.
While assisting the police with the investigation, Mr. Godsey was not able to spend as much time by his wife’s side as he normally did. It was during this time that she slipped into a coma and, within days, passed away.
According to officials, Mr. Godsey also was hospitalized following these events, because he had to do without his prescription medications which were also stolen during the break-in.
C.J. Harte is a Correspondent for the Daily News. He can be reached via e-mail at charte@middlesborodailynews.com.
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