District Attorney Joe Mulholland stated this has been a very busy week with grand jury, court trials and pleas being handled. Mr Mulholland reviewed the week for us saying he felt the week was a successful one for his office.
DA Mulholland stated there were 4 youths involved in the November 2007 Dominoes Delivery armed robbery, part of a rash of armed robberies, especially involving youth.
He said the hot topic in our community seems to be "What do we do with juveniles committing major felony crimes." DA Mulholland said the only answer his office has, after they have committed these atrocious acts, is to deal with them.
Mr Mulholland continued that he has tried to hold them criminally responsible which sends a message to other youth in the community that when they commit crimes with a firearm or involve personal safety, it will not be dealt with lightly.
All 4 defendants in the Dominoes case pled guilty and received 20 years, to serve 10 years. They were Lucious Gregory Sparkman, 21, Nicholus Keri Gaines, 18, Richard Barnard Handford, 18, and 20 year old Rahsneik O'Hara Henry.
In the Country Store armed robbery, December 2007, 18 year old Elex Devon Conley was sentenced to 20 years, 10 to serve. The two 14 year olds involved will be prosecuted in juvenile court.
In a child molestation case involving a 14 year old in 2007, Jeffery Lavon Newsome, 26, was sentenced to 20 years, 5 to serve and required to register as a sex offender.
Mr Mulholland stated in 3 jury trials the defendants were found guilty.
