Andy Close
WARREN, Pa. – Michael Burham pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and escape charges on Thursday that, if found guilty and the maximum sentence were to be carried out, would total over 250 years in prison and close to $500,000 in fines.
Burham, who is currently being held at the Erie County Prison, entered the not guilty pleas at his formal arraignment before Judge Gregory Hammond at the Warren County Courthouse
Burham’s charges in Warren County are centered around the alleged kidnapping of a Sheffield couple on May 20 that he allegedly used to flee the area and his subsequent alleged escape from the Warren County Jail on July 6.
Burham faces a total of 34 counts in the kidnapping case and two in the escape case.
Burham is also the prime suspect in a Chautauqua County, New York homicide. Charges have not been filed in that case.
A calendar call is scheduled for the escape charges on Oct. 16, while a calendar call for the kidnapping charges is scheduled for Oct. 30.
