WHEELING, W.Va. -- Valentine's Day was bittersweet for a man who was sentenced to prison then immediately married in the same courtroom by the same judge.
Kevin Felder was sentenced to five to 18 years in prison after he pleaded guilty Thursday to robbing a Wheeling Island convenience store in September 2007. Immediately after the sentencing, in the same courtroom, a judge married Felder to his bride, Misty Johnson. The defense said the back-to-back sentencing and wedding was a matter of scheduling convenience.
Johnson, who is expecting Felder's child, said, "It's a sad day, but it's also a happy day. So, I mean, I know we'll see him again."
With regard to the robbery, Felder told the judge he was under the influence of drugs and made an impulsive decision. According to the prosecutor, Felder was in line at Convenient, reached into the cash register and took $340. When the clerk tried to stop him, he threatened to kill her.
The robbery happened while Felder was on probation for a domestic violence conviction against Johnson. "At least we know for quite some time, Mr. Felder is not going to be hurting anybody in our community or his wife," said Ohio County Assistant Prosecutor Steve Vogrin.
Johnson said she knew her new husband was going to prison but wanted to marry him regardless. "I think Kevin is in a situation where he really wants to be better and ... I'm very optimistic for them," said defense attorney Martin Sheehan.
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