Here is an article that appeared in the Hartford Courant. --ECW
+++++++++++++++++++
Map Thief Gets 5 Years
Courant Staff Report
October 14 2006
NEW HAVEN -- A state judge sentenced E. Forbes Smiley III, the
Martha's Vineyard map thief, to the maximum five years in prison Friday, a
move that was largely symbolic and unlikely to add time to the 3½-year
sentence Smiley has received in federal court.
The state and federal sentences will run at the same time, with Smiley
eligible for release from federal prison after three years. In state court,
he can apply for parole after serving half his time.
With the sentencing over, questions are still unanswered. All but one
of the six libraries Smiley hit are missing maps in addition to those he's
admitted to taking.
Judge Richard Damiani faulted the federal government for taking what
Smiley told them as "gospel truth," joining the chorus of voices expressing
disappointment in the investigation. "The problem is they're taking the word
of a thief," he said.
Smiley's lawyer asked for four years, but Damiani was not persuaded.
He said he's given more time to men who robbed convenience stores at
knifepoint. "The man stole $2 million," he said.
The mood in the nearly empty courtroom was subdued. In a brief
statement, Smiley said he was aware of the enormous harm he had caused.