Monticello Teens Are Sentenced

By MICHAEL DAVIS

Jackson Progress-Argus

mdavis@myjpa

Reprinted with Permission

A pair of Monticello teens shot by a Butts County resident during an attempted burglary in March have been sentenced in the case.

Franklin Milligan, 19, and Cornelius Williams, 18, were each sentenced November 14 to 10 years with five to serve in prison on attempted burglary charges, according to court documents and the Butts County District Attorney’s Office.

The pair were accused in the March 27 burglary attempt at a Higgins Road home. A resident there, Tia Poole, reportedly opened fire before they were able to enter the home, striking both teens through a door with the same round. The injured Milligan and Williams were then driven by Ashley Eiland to the Butts County Sheriff’s Office and dropped off. Eiland then reportedly continued fleeing with Louis Ross, who had suffered a leg injury while allegedly escaping the home with Milligan and Williams.

Eiland, 30, and Ross, 26, both of Baton Rouge, La., were arrested a short time later after the car was found at the Family Dollar store in Jackson.

Eiland pleaded guilty earlier this year to a charge of criminal attempt to commit a felony and was sentenced to 10 years with four to serve.

Charges against Ross are still pending. Court documents show he failed to appear for a hearing in September and a warrant has been issued for his arrest.

“Homeowners in Butts County have the right to protect their homes from invaders,” Assistant District Attorney James Moss said in a statement. “The homeowner was justified in shooting the would-be intruders. Burglars in Butts County will go to prison, even when they get shot.”