By Billy Davis

A burglar who was given a last-minute chance to help authorities, and hence help himself before sentencing, is expected to stand before a judge today.

Sentencing for Christopher Richardson is set for 9 a.m. at the Panola County Courthouse in Sardis.

Richardson, moments from being sentenced, had promised to help Tate County authorities retrieve some of 11 firearms he admitted to stealing from an elderly couple that had befriended him.

A person familiar with the case said Richardson has failed to help as promised.

Richardson faces a minimum three-year sentence and a maximum sentence of 25 years.

He has already pleaded guilty to selling the guns, a laptop computer, coins, and a camera for drug money.

Retiring Circuit Court Judge Andrew C. Baker is overseeing the case, his last on the bench.

Baker postponed sentencing December 14 to help burglary victim Gerald McLemore, 71, who testified during the sentencing hearing.

The firearms included a shotgun McLemore had owned since childhood and a rifle that once belonged to his father, the crime victim told the court.

Assistant District Attorney Rhonda Amis is prosecuting the state’s case against Richardson.

Public defender David Walker is representing the defendant.