| 1. Author: rfenst | Date: Fri, 4/14/2023, 12:21PM EST | |
The Hill
LUBBOCK, Texas (KLBK/KAMC) — A Texas man was sentenced to 70 years in prison Wednesday after he was found guilty of harassing a public servant for spitting at Lubbock police officers.
Larry Pearson, 36, was arrested in May 2022 for domestic violence after a victim flagged down an officer in northeast Lubbock, prosecutor Jessica Gorman said.
The victim told police that Pearson had hit her several times and that he had a gun. Gorman said that firearm turned out to be an airsoft gun.
A police report at the time stated the victim had “multiple visible injuries” on her face. Gorman said after Pearson was taken into custody, he was upset the victim was not arrested instead.
That’s when he started kicking at the doors in the officer’s vehicle. When the officers opened the door to tell him to stop, Gorman said he spit at both officers.
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Gorman said Pearson kept spitting after he arrived at the Lubbock County Detention Center.
During closing arguments of the sentencing phase of Pearson’s trial, the prosecutor asked the jury to consider a number that would “send a message” to Pearson and society. She said Pearson had prior convictions of aggravated robbery and continuous family violence.
“You’re not going to get 70 years for something like this when you’ve never been in trouble before,” Gorman told Nexstar’s KLBK/KAMC.
Defense Attorney Jim Shaw argued to the jury that the sentencing was for a “simple misdemeanor” in a circumstance that got “out of control.”
But due to his prior convictions, the minimum sentence Pearson could have received would’ve been 25 years.
“If you’re going to live the life of crime, you’re going to do that among other criminals [in prison],” Gorman said during closing arguments. |
| 2. Author: Abrignac | Date: Fri, 4/14/2023, 1:32PM EST | |
He got the “bitoech” aka the habitual offender sentence. Good for him. Seems he’s incapable of living in civilized society. |
| 3. Author: rfenst | Date: Fri, 4/14/2023, 1:56PM EST | |
Abrignac wrote:He got the “bitoech” aka the habitual offender sentence. Good for him. Seems he’s incapable of living in civilized society. Yup. But for the cops being spit on, I think it is entertaining. |
| 4. Author: MACS | Date: Fri, 4/14/2023, 2:16PM EST | |
I think he'll get it reduced significantly on appeal. I don't condone his behavior, but the punishment does not fit the crime. |
| 5. Author: delta1 | Date: Fri, 4/14/2023, 4:17PM EST | |
MACS is starting to slide down that slippery slope of bleeding heart libby...but we do agree on this. |
| 6. Author: DrMaddVibe | Date: Fri, 4/14/2023, 5:13PM EST | |
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. |
| 7. Author: MACS | Date: Fri, 4/14/2023, 7:29PM EST | |
delta1 wrote:MACS is starting to slide down that slippery slope of bleeding heart libby...but we do agree on this. HA! You know me well enough. I'm not liberal, but when it comes to justice I want what's fair. |
| 8. Author: Mr. Jones | Date: Fri, 4/14/2023, 7:30PM EST | |
Herion kingpins get 1/100 of that time when convicted. |
| 9. Author: Mr. Jones | Date: Fri, 4/14/2023, 7:30PM EST | |
Heroin |
| 10. Author: rfenst | Date: Sat, 4/15/2023, 1:42PM EST | |
MACS wrote:HA! You know me well enough. I'm not liberal, but when it comes to justice I want what's fair. 70 years was not just for the spitting. It was for enhanced sentencing based on his criminal record. If the judge had no discretion to deviate from guidelines, it will hold up. If not, I agree with you that is too long. |
