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Judge denies inmate's motion
GREENCASTLE -- A motion to change service of commitment filed by a Greencastle woman currently serving a 10-year prison sentence has been denied without a hearing by Putnam County Circuit Court Judge Matthew Headley.
Melynda J. Fenwick, 37, was convicted of six counts of Class C felony forgery and six counts of Class D felony theft on Nov. 23. Over a four-year period, Fenwick stole more than $350,000 from Gobin Memorial United Methodist Church in Greencastle, where she had been employed as an administrative financial secretary from late 2004 until her arrest on Aug. 11, 2009.
In her motion, which was filed on March 15, Fenwick asked the court to consider allowing her to leave Rockville Correctional Facility, where she is currently incarcerated, and to continue serving her sentence on house arrest.
In a letter to Headley, Fenwick said she was anxious to find employment and begin doing community service.
Putnam County Prosecutor Timothy Bookwalter filed an objection to Fenwick's motion on March 16, pointing out that she had only served 3 percent of her sentence.
Fenwick also said her crimes were non-violent and that she would pose a minimal threat to the community. Bookwalter disagreed, saying Fenwick has been fired from other jobs for stealing.
After she is released from prison, Fenwick will spend five years on probation.
Gobin currently has a civil suit pending against Fenwick.