The woman charged with robbing a St. John’s bank last Friday while armed with a rock — and was caught by a provincial court judge as she allegedly attempted to flee — tried to plead guilty in provincial court this morning (Monday).
Kristina Chernenko, 21, told Judge Lois Skanes she wanted to proceed by speedy disposition, meaning she was prepared to enter guilty pleas to charges of armed robbery, wearing a disguise with the intent to commit a crime, and assault.
"This is not a situation where you should proceed to a speedy disposition today," Skanes told Chernenko, advising her to speak to a lawyer first.
Chernenko, who was sporting a purple arm cast she reportedly acquired after a recent car accident, asked to have the disclosure file for her case.
"Will I get disclosure in the lockup?" she asked. "I've been in for three days."
Skanes explained it might take some time for police to provide the entire file if the investigation is ongoing.
Chernenko agreed to stay in custody until her next court appearance, Dec. 11.
Police were called to the Scotiabank branch on Water Street just before noon Friday, after a woman wearing a white mask held up the bank with a rock.
The woman was stopped by passersby, including provincial court judge Mike Madden, sources say. Bystanders helped pick up the money she dropped on the ground.
In the days before she was arrested, Chernenko posted a series of bizarre photos and video on Facebook, including one of herself wearing a white mask and sporting the arm cast, holding a finger to her lips.
