Church thief gives penny penance

A woman convicted of stealing a donation jar from a church in Ohio lowered her jail sentence by apologizing in pennies.

Painsville Judge Michael Cicconetti gave Anna Marie Cothrum the option of reducing her 90-day jail sentence to 10 days if she created a sign in pennies spelling out "I stole coins from this church" and stood outside the Central Congregational Church in Madison with it, WEWS-TV in Cleveland reported Monday.

Members of the congregation stood with Cothrum during her unusual mea culpa.

"We're more interested in being loving and gracious and forgiving because we've all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. We all make our mistakes," said Pastor David Brown.

Cothrum said she was grateful to church members for keeping her company.

"I greatly appreciate them standing out here with me. You know, nobody said they had to. They want to do it in their own free will, so I have no problem with that," Cothrum said.