Robbins sentenced up to 60 years in jail

By EMILY REHRING
Collegian Staff Writer

HUB lawn shooter Jillian Robbins, who killed one student and injured another in the fall of 1996, will spend the next 30 to 60 years in prison as a result of a plea agreement reached in May in Centre County Court.

In the agreement, Robbins pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree murder in the death of Melanie Spalla and one count of attempted murder in the injury of Nicholas Mensah. She also pleaded guilty to attempting to murder Brendon Malovrh, who wrestled Robbins' rifle away from her, as well as Kerry Butler and William Mocker, whose backpacks were hit by Robbins' bullets near the HUB lawn.

Centre County President Judge Charles Brown sentenced Robbins to serve her time at the State Correctional Institute at Muncy. Centre County District Attorney Ray Gricar said he expects Robbins to be released from the institute when she is about 70 years old.

The plea agreement was attractive to both the prosecution and defense.

"The plea agreement at least gives (Robbins) the possibility of parole when she'd be approximately 50 years of age," said Centre County Public Defender Deborah Lux.

Robbins was given 613 days of credit for time she has already served at various facilities, including Norristown State Hospital and Clinton County Prison.

"I think, substantially, justice was done here," Gricar said after Judge Brown accepted the plea agreement and sentenced Robbins.