Several Are Sentenced

Judge William A. Prior, Jr. presided over the review of the criminal trial calendar during Jasper Superior Court last week.

Last Monday’s disposition of criminal cases followed a jury trial from the previous week when defendant John W. Kelly was found not guilty on four felony counts including aggravated battery and three counts of aggravated assault for shooting an assailant in the leg.

However, the 12-person jury did find him guilty on one count of misdemeanor affray. A juror on that case noted that Mr. Kelly was found not guilty on the felony charges “due to a reasonable decision that the shooting victim was in possession of a knife.”

Judge Prior then sentenced the defendant to one year in jail for the affray charge.

Other sentences handed out during trial week included:

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Marlene Strong Pratt, sentenced to 72 hours in the Jasper County jail for five counts including possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, driving under the influence, open container, and speeding. Fined $1,500.

Preston Bowe, sentenced to four to six months in a state probation detention center for two counts of aggravated assault and must pay restitution of $1,000 to the victim’s compensation fund. Fined $500.

Damien Gotel, sentenced to four to six months in a state probation detention center for four counts including fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, driving while license suspended and two counts of obstruction of an officer. Fined $2,000.

Brandon Gray, sentenced to seven years of probation for possession of methamphetamine and sale of methamphetamine. Fined $1,500.

Caleb Vinson, sentenced to four years of probation for sale of marijuana. Fined $1,000.

Kenneth Thurman, sentenced to 48 months probation for simple battery, criminal trespass, simple assault, and obstruction. Fined $400.

Andrea Barkley, sentenced to three years of probation for sale of cocaine. Fined $1,000.

Jesse Ruark, sentenced to 12 months of probation for stalking. Fined $500.

William Hendrix, sentenced to 12 months of probation for three counts of obstruction of an officer. Fined $500.

Valeria Cannon, sentenced to 12 months of probation for two counts of possession of marijuana. Fined $500.

Shuntecia Middlebrooks, sentenced to six months of probation for possession of marijuana. Fined $500.