SUPERIOR COURT
The power of the mere existence of a jury panel ready to begin hearing a case was evident during the most recent trial week in Jones County Superior Court.
Three jury panels were selected Oct. 24 for the trials slated for the week. In each of the trials, however, the defendants entered guilty pleas before jurors got a change to deliberate.
Two of the defendants pled as jury members waited to take their places in the jury box.
The aggravated assault trial for Henry Hunt that started Oct. 25 ended at the conclusion of the presentation of state’s evidence at approximately 4:30 p.m. as the attorneys were preparing for their closing arguments.
Hunt received a sentence of five years for the offense of aggravated assault. The sentence in his negotiated plea may be served on probation.
Jonathan Kelly McBride entered his guilty pleas Oct. 26, as jurors waited for the beginning of his trial.
McBride received a sentence 12 months for the offense of theft by taking, and his sentence also may be served on probation.
The trial of Jarvis Vontrell Havior ended a bit differently when a person stepped forward to take responsibility for possession of the drugs for which he was charged.
Chief Superior Court Judge Brenda Trammell presided over each of the trials and addressed the jury in the Havior trial following the pleas.
“You may be disappointed or glad, but we have resolved the case,” she said. “I want you to understand that the jury makes the difference. We could not do our job without you.”
The judge stated that the Ocmulgee Circuit covers eight counties and expressed her appreciation for the jurors who showed up in Jones County.
“Thank you for being here. We have struggled in other counties.”
Hunt
Henry Carver Hunt was arrested Aug. 20, 2021, and charged with aggravated assault. He was 67 at the time of his arrest.
A report of the arrest by Jones County Sheriff Office Deputy Robert Land states he was dispatched to a Pippen Road address in reference to shots fired at a vehicle.
Land said more than one call reported the shots fired. After interviewing the 18-year-old victim, the deputy said he spoke with Hunt who was identified as the offender.
The officer said a warrant was secured for aggravated assault and reckless conduct, and Hunt was placed under arrest.
McBride
Jonathan Kelley McBride was arrested Feb. 16, 2021, and charged with theft by taking. He was 45 at the time of his arrest.
A report of the crime by JCSO Deputy Anna Amerson states that she was dispatched to an address on Childs Road Feb.
6, 2021, in reference to a theft. The complainant told the officer that someone had taken several old appliances from the back yard of her home. A trail camera set up at the scene of the theft caught a light blue Ford Ranger pulling a trailer.
The victim told the officer that her main concern was the offender would return to take more items from her property.
McBride was identified from the tag on the truck.
