Tractors4u
Elite Member
- Joined
- Mar 10, 2002
- Messages
- 2,540
- Location
- Athens Alabama
- Tractor
- Deere 4310, Kubota L355, John Deere SST18 Spin Steer, 2006 Polaris Ranger
For those of you that have been following this saga now for over a year, it ended today. For those of you that don't know about it, here is some background information.
How it started
When it went to court
Today was the sentencing hearing. He was the third one this morning to approach the bench for their sentencing. The prosecutor brought up his prior convictions and the defense rebutted them. Then the judge asked about restitution. Here is how it went:
Prosecutor: Your honor we are asking for $1400 which I believe is supported by evidence from the trial in July.
Judge: Mr. Houston are you prepared to pay the $1400 today?
Houston: I have been unemployed for 2 months, can I make payments?
Judge: When people don't have a job and they are on the street doing nothing, I send them to prison!
Houston: I have a job but I don't have the $1400.
Judge: You just said you haven't worked in 2 months, do you or do you not have a job?
Houston: What I meant was I just started back to work after being unemployed for 2 months.
Judge: Are you prepared to pay today?
Houston: Your honor I had no idea this would go this far and I don't have the money.
Judge: This has went on for over a year. It did go this far and you were found guilty. I am about to send you to prison for 2 to 20 years for this Class B felony!
Defense Attorney: Your honor could I have a moment with my client?
After they came back Mr. Houston mysteriously came up with the $1400.
The judge sentenced him to 5 years imprisonment and commuted the sentence to 2 years supervised probation. The supervised part will be dropped once he has paid the court cost which I was told should be around $400.
I imagine he came here with the money but just wanted to drag it out. His facial expression never changed, even when the judge said I am about to send you to prison.
He paid the county clerk the $1400 in cash and they will mail me a check.
Justice has been served. The good guys do win sometimes.
How it started
When it went to court
Today was the sentencing hearing. He was the third one this morning to approach the bench for their sentencing. The prosecutor brought up his prior convictions and the defense rebutted them. Then the judge asked about restitution. Here is how it went:
Prosecutor: Your honor we are asking for $1400 which I believe is supported by evidence from the trial in July.
Judge: Mr. Houston are you prepared to pay the $1400 today?
Houston: I have been unemployed for 2 months, can I make payments?
Judge: When people don't have a job and they are on the street doing nothing, I send them to prison!
Houston: I have a job but I don't have the $1400.
Judge: You just said you haven't worked in 2 months, do you or do you not have a job?
Houston: What I meant was I just started back to work after being unemployed for 2 months.
Judge: Are you prepared to pay today?
Houston: Your honor I had no idea this would go this far and I don't have the money.
Judge: This has went on for over a year. It did go this far and you were found guilty. I am about to send you to prison for 2 to 20 years for this Class B felony!
Defense Attorney: Your honor could I have a moment with my client?
After they came back Mr. Houston mysteriously came up with the $1400.
The judge sentenced him to 5 years imprisonment and commuted the sentence to 2 years supervised probation. The supervised part will be dropped once he has paid the court cost which I was told should be around $400.
I imagine he came here with the money but just wanted to drag it out. His facial expression never changed, even when the judge said I am about to send you to prison.
He paid the county clerk the $1400 in cash and they will mail me a check.
Justice has been served. The good guys do win sometimes.
