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| Inmate sentenced for assault |
| By Palestine Herald-Press |
| Published: 03/29/2004 |
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A 24-year-old Texas Department of Criminal Justice inmate was sentenced to 30 years in prison by an Anderson County jury last Tuesday afternoon for using a "homemade spear" to stab a correctional officer in the leg three years ago. The 12-person jury deliberated more than four hours last Tuesday before sentencing 24-year-old Harry Joe Parish to 30 years in prison for the offense of aggravated assault on a public servant with a deadly weapon. Authorities said Parish used a "spear" made up of rolled-up magazines with a sharpened edge taken from a food tray to stab correctional officer Stanley Dotson in the leg at the TDCJ's Michael Unit in Tennessee Colony on Feb. 27, 2001. Dotson was treated at the unit and not seriously injured, according to authorities. Anderson County District Attorney Doug Lowe, however, said this morning that TDCJ inmates serving sentences in Anderson County should take note of the jury's decision. "We are pleased with the jury's verdict and the work of the Special Prison Prosecution Unit in this case," Lowe said. "It is important that convicts understand that if they assault state employees, even if resulting injuries are slight, that they will be prosecuted and severely punished. Inmates who ride into town for court won't think it's so fun - especially when at the end of the ride a jury of Anderson County citizens hammers them." The jury was seated in the trial last Monday, with both sides resting their case later that same day. The state represented by special prosecutor Paul Guillotte called two witnesses - Dotson and Johnny Thomas of the TDCJ's office of the inspector general. The jury deliberated for about 15 minutes last Monday before finding Parish guilty of the offense. The punishment phase of the trial resumed last Tuesday. Parish testified during the punishment phase of his trial. 349th State District Judge Pam Foster Fletcher presided over the proceedings. Parish was convicted of aggravated robbery in Harris County in November 1997 and sentenced to 25 years. |
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