Monticello, NY: Man Sentenced To Prison For Stealing Torah

(Vinnews.com) Monticello, NY - Christopher Colvill, 41, of Liberty, New York was sentenced today to three to six years in prison for his role in stealing and possessing a $35,000 Torah scroll from the Landfield Avenue Synagogue last December in order to collect the $6,000 reward money. Colvill was also fined $5,000.

The Times-Herald-Record says  that Judge Mike McGuire told Colvill he was “insensitive” for stealing the scroll, and that he does not believe Colvill really understands the ramifications of his actions.

Judge McGuire said, “You merely reduced it [the scroll] to a chattel.” He referred to the Torah as “the heart and soul” of the synagogue, the congregants, and the spiritual core of the synagogue. “Your spiritually is governed by a dollar sign, evidently,” the Judge added. In response, Colvill said, “I understand the spiritual and the emotional implications and I am deeply sorry.”