A man pleaded guilty yesterday to breaking into a downtown Richmond stained-glass shop and gallery and setting it on fire more than two years ago.

Richard James Murphy, 50, was sentenced to a total of 15 years in prison, with 13 suspended. Richmond Circuit Judge Walter W. Stout III gave Murphy credit for time already served.

Murphy was standing inside the burning Sledd/Winger Glassworks & Gallery at 414 W. Broad St. when police arrived on the night of Jan. 28, 2006. Murphy, who was smashing out windows when police pulled up, yelled at officers and struggled briefly with them.

He was charged with breaking and entering, arson and possessing firebomb materials but was originally judged incompetent to stand trial.

After undergoing extensive therapy at Central State Hospital and a recent change in medication, Murphy was given a positive report by doctors.

Yesterday morning, Stout accepted Murphy's guilty pleas to the breaking and entering and arson charges. In exchange for the guilty pleas, Assistant Commonwealth's Attorney Michael Hollomon declined to prosecute the firebomb materials possession charge.

-- Joe Macenka