Three defendants received sentencing from Judge Talley and two defendants were given plea offers by the State in Columbia County Circuit Court on July 20.
Marcus Wyrick was sentenced to 120 days in Columbia County Jail after pleading guilty to endangering the welfare of a minor first degree. He was also assessed court costs and fees.
Wyrick wanted to serve the 120 days on the weekends due to the fact that he was currently working and did not want to lose his job. Judge Talley agreed only if the Sheriff’s Office agreed but it was denied by the Sheriff’s Office. Wyrick did spend four days in the County Jail when he was picked up. Judge Talley gave him credit for the time spent in jail.
Wyrick was also charged with driving while intoxicated (DWI) with an accident. He was sentenced to five years probation and one year suspension of his driver's license. A DWI education course is mandatory for Wyrick to get his driver's license back.
Deputy Prosecutor Ryan Phillips made a motion to dismiss the charges of refusal to submit to a chemical test, careless and prohibited driving, no child safety restraint, and failure to have insurance of minimum coverage on the vehicle. Talley granted the motion.
Jeremy Rosson was sentenced to five years probation and assessed court costs and fees after being found guilty of possession of a controlled substance (meth or cocaine) and possession of drug paraphernalia to ingest or inhale. He agreed to pay $50 a month until court costs and fees are paid in full. Rosson was released from the County Jail after being booked June 24.
“You have a lot of years hanging over your head,” Judge Tally warned Rosson. “Make sure you stay away from felons and attend all appointments with the probation office while you are out.”
Kiyata Johnson pleaded guilty to theft of property over $1,000 but less than $5,000. She was sentenced to Alternative Sentencing Program (ASP) and assessed court costs and fees and 150 hours of community service. She also has to make restitution of $1,071.
According to Phillips, Johnson was an employee at Wal-mart at the time of the arrest. After investigation, it was discovered that Johnson took the amount of $1,071 from the store.
Johnson is scheduled to appear in court January 18, 2018, for review on completion of community service hours and ASP.
Frank Williams is charged with failure to stop after accident with injury or death and driving while intoxicated with an accident. The state has made an offer of 20 days in Columbia County Jail and five years probation. Williams rejected the offer by the state.
“You are going to turn this offer down?” Judge Talley asked. “ You do know failure to stop after accident with injury or death can carry up to six years in Arkansas Department of Correction (ADC)?”
Williams’ lawyer asked that the offer stay available to give him time to think about the offer. Judge Talley has set decision of plea for August 17.
Damion Grissom is charged with attempted murder first degree, possession of a firearm by a certain person, and aggravated assault. The state has offered Grissom 15 years in ADC. The offer has yet to be accepted or declined. Grissom is set to appear back in court August 17.