Conn. judge tells defendant he needs new "shtick"

NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) — A Connecticut judge has told a convicted burglar he needs to change his "shtick."

The Day of New London reports Judge Susan Handy gave her advice Tuesday to 53-year-old Andrew Kendzierski as she sentenced him to 2½ years in prison for probation violation and fifth-degree larceny. Handy told him, "It's not working for you."

Kendzierski was arrested in August, five months after completing a 5½ year prison term for burglarizing and burning an 18th century Stonington farmhouse. He then charged with stealing a generator and tools from a house in Preston. He pleaded guilty under the Alford Doctrine, meaning he didn't agree with the allegations but didn't want to go to trial.

Kendzierski apologized in court, saying he has "a stupid habit of trusting the wrong people."

Handy replied that he needs to stop blaming others.