Greencastle Banner-Graphic: Local News: Second plea agreement rejected in Norlin case (10/29/09)

GREENCASTLE -- Putnam County Circuit Court Judge Matthew Headley has rejected a second plea agreement proposed in the case of a Cloverdale man charged with six sex crimes.

After rejecting the agreement for William E. Norlin, 54, Headley recused himself from the case and appointed Putnam County Superior Court Judge Denny Bridges as special judge. Norlin's trial is set to begin on Feb. 10.

Norlin faces two counts of Class C felony child molesting, one count of Class C felony sexual misconduct with a minor and Class D felonies performing sexual misconduct in the presence of a minor, child seduction and sexual battery. Norlin pled guilty to the sexual battery charge on Oct. 5, and his sentencing was set for Oct. 22. Headley rejected the plea agreement, which would have dismissed all the other charges against Norlin, and recused himself from the case earlier this week.

A previous plea agreement was presented to Headley in July. Under the terms of that agreement, Norlin would have pled guilty to the Class D sexual misconduct with a minor charge in exchange for the dismissal of all other charges. Headley rejected that plea agreement on July 16.

Norlin was arrested Jan. 22 at the conclusion of a joint investigation by the Putnam County Sheriff's Department and Putnam County Child Protective Services. Court documents alleged Norlin molested a teenage girl multiple times over the course of several years.

Norlin posted a $25,000 bond and was released from jail on Jan. 26.

If convicted on all charges, Norlin could be sentenced to up to 33 years in prison.

This guy just won't give up. I guess he should have thought about that before messing up a girl's life.Let him set in prison with a tattoo on his cheek that reads "child molestor" If he is in fact guilty. Just my opinion.

-- Posted by clint1991 on Thu, Oct 29, 2009, at 3:24 AM

GOOD JOB DENNY ! Now when he comes back give him all 33 yrs, none suspended, and all charges run seperate !

-- Posted by notagain on Thu, Oct 29, 2009, at 7:23 AM

Quick note of correction: It was not Denny Bridges who rejected the plea deal. It was Headley, both times. That is likely why he now removed himself from the case, assigning it to Denny.

-- Posted by cloverfan on Thu, Oct 29, 2009, at 8:16 AM

LOCK HIM UP FOREVER......

DO NOT MESS THIS UP.....

-- Posted by takeastand on Thu, Oct 29, 2009, at 9:38 AM

Put a bullet in his brain and lets end this story

-- Posted by 1stamendrights on Thu, Oct 29, 2009, at 11:15 AM

There are certain crimes that do not deserve a plea deal. Sexually abusing a child is one of them. The victims of child abuse carry that with them for the rest of their life. They get a "life sentence". So should the abuser. Once a molester always a molester. Letting them out of jail early will only guarantee there will be more victims in the future.

-- Posted by putnammom on Thu, Oct 29, 2009, at 12:32 PM

Is "molestor" a local term for something. Since there is no such word in the rest of the world, why would you put that on somebody's cheek?

Hey, "1stamendrights" what would our "four fathers" think of that attitude?

-- Posted by reckman on Thu, Oct 29, 2009, at 10:09 PM

Hey "reckman" the word Molestor is in the dictionary.

mo·lest (m-lst)

tr.v. mo·lest·ed, mo·lest·ing, mo·lests

1. To disturb, interfere with, or annoy.

2. To subject to unwanted or improper sexual activity.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Middle English molesten, from Old French molester, from Latin molestre, from molestus, troublesome.]

moles·tation (ml-stshn) n.

mo·lester n.

-- Posted by idiot on Fri, Oct 30, 2009, at 8:15 AM

Thank you Judge Headley for holding this guy accountable! Too often perpetrators of sexual crimes against children are given nice plea bargains in order for the case to be resolved without trial. Those are serious charges to flush away to get him to sign off on a plea! I hope before the new trial date that the Prosecutor's office can come up with a REALISTIC plea agreement. If not I pray the child-victim is handled with respect and care as she prepares to face her abuser in court.

-- Posted by payingattention on Fri, Oct 30, 2009, at 10:29 AM

Dear "Idiot."

No it is not. Cite your source. You do not read any better than you write.

-- Posted by reckman on Fri, Oct 30, 2009, at 10:57 PM

Dear "AddingMyTwoCents":

"Clint1991" does not want to tattoo "Molester" he wants to tattoo "Molestor." Which is a non-existent thing.

Ever heard of the Eight Amendment against cruel and unusual punishment? Certainly a tattoo with a non-existent word would qualify as, at least, cruel and illiterate punishment by Rednecks.

-- Posted by reckman on Tue, Nov 3, 2009, at 3:18 PM

Love reading these comments ....Thank you for making me laugh.

when you can laugh with someone , it is a good thing.

hope you all have a great day ! and

I hope Norlin rots in hell.

-- Posted by Sand mann on Thu, Nov 5, 2009, at 8:14 AM