Judge Massey Issues Criminal, Civil Review of Superior Cases
Judge Terry Massey presided over a light court docket Tuesday morning continuing on civil case, settling another along with several criminal cases.
Criminal cases settled include:
Devin Chase Sheffield—granted a termination of probation following an arrest in 2018 for criminal attempt to commit rape during a local child sex sting. Assistant District Attorney (DA) Brent Cochran noted that the defendant had done everything asked of him and sought input from his probation officer.
Michael Walden—sentenced to 48 months of probation and fined $1,500 for driving while license suspended, possession of marijuana, speeding, and obstruction of an officer.
Justin Cooper Singletary—denied motion for bond for rape, crossing the guard line, and possession of marijuana. ADA Cochran request no bond based on his history which included a felony case in 2014, 21 arrests, and no ties to the local community. He said the victim acted as a mother figure to him for years, but that he still violated her trust. Defense Attorney Len Myers requested a $50,000 bond for his client and asked that his client not be judged for errors from 10 years ago.
Terry Brown—sentenced to 12 months of probation for possession of drug related objects after an October 2024 arrest. He was sentenced to the first 250 days in Jasper County jail and credited with time served.
Sally Goins—sentenced to 24 months of probation and fined $500 for drug related charges and child endangerment.
Kimberly Beasley—sentenced to 12 months probation and fined $500 for simple battery.
Shakeria Stone and Gregory Robinson—granted modified contact change from no contact to no violent contact.
Frederico Epps—sentenced to 150-180 days in state probation detention center for aggravated battery.
Matthew Beam—sentenced to 12 months of probation with the first 11 days in jail and fined $500 for terroristic threats.
Judge Massey also revisited the civil case regarding Holy Nation Church with Connie G. Braswell, Gwen Davis, Donnie Braswell & Early Braswell vs. Eddie Standifer and Harold Dumas. In a continuation from the initial hearing, Martin Fierman, attorney for the plaintiffs, asked for the defendants to produce records of church authority. He said the question is whether Mr. Standifer has the authority to be pastor of the church following the death of his wife, Patricia Braswell Standifer.
Trichelle Simmons, the attorney for the defendants, said that requested documents had nothing to do with the current court proceedings. She noted the court hearing was for an injunction against the plaintiffs for attending church and visiting the premises and that the judge had settled that with his ruling dismantling the injunction.
“The court has told them they can come to church, there is no other request. Why are we back here trying to figure out new evidence? What other issues are there?,” the attorney questioned.
Attorney Fierman said a production of documents were needed, in particular a binder at the church. He noted that the church was an unincorporated entity that does not function like an LLC and the bylaws produced in the first hearing were unsigned by any authority.
Attorney Simmons said that she was hired to represent two individuals, not the church. In doing so, they did not have the binder.
“I represent Standifer and Dumas, not the church.”
Judge Massey questioned “if the pastor and chairman of the financial board can’t access church records, then who can?” He thought it reasonable for the defendants to share the church records with the plaintiffs.
Attorney Simmons stated that she had tried to file a response in Jasper Superior Court to the initial hearing judgment and the office said the case had been closed. Judge Massey said the case has not been closed and that he will direct the County Clerk to open the case give Attorney Simmons 30 days to respond.
While the judge denied the motion to compel the documents because the parties say they are not the church, he also allowed Attorney Fierman 30 days to amend his complaint to add a party to the case, namely the church.
Judge Massey reiterated that the case is not closed. He also wants both parties to decide if they would like a bench trial or jury trial, so the issues could be resolved.
In the civil case of Michael Hallas vs. Kiefer Ward, Judge Massey asked the defendant if he was willing to stay away from the plaintiff during a temporary protective order. He said he would stay away and not discuss him on social media, per a request. A 12 month stay was ordered.
