By PAVEL BAILEY
Tribune Staff Reporter
pbailey@tribunemedia.net
A 38-year-old father was sentenced to 20 months in prison yesterday after admitting to having a loaded gun hidden in his sock drawer at his family home earlier this week.
Magistrate Lennox Coleby charged Earl Smith, his mother, Frances Smith, 68, and a 14-year-old male juvenile with possession of an unlicensed firearm and possession of ammunition.
The courtroom was filled with relatives of the defendants and their pastor.
Elsworth Johnson represented the accused.
Police entered the defendants’ residence in Baylily Grove on September 11 where officers recovered a black 9mm Taurus pistol hidden in Mr Smith’s bedroom in a white and grey sock. Authorities also seized 15 rounds of 9mm ammunition.
In a subsequent police interview, Mr Smith admitted to owning the weapon and claimed sole responsibility for the crime.
After he pleaded guilty, the charges against his mother and the juvenile were withdrawn.
During the mitigation part of the hearing, Mr Johnson said Mr Smith regrets his actions and putting his mother in such a predicament. He also apologised to his client’s family on his behalf. After citing Smith’s early guilty plea, Mr Johnson asked the court to temper justice with mercy in delivering its sentencing.
Magistrate Coleby sentenced Smith to 20 months in prison after thanking him for his early plea.
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