Oklahoma Man Gets Life in Prison for Spitting

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By Reuters

Published: 07/16/2003

An Oklahoma man arrested on suspicion of beating his wife faced year in prison and a fine. But when he spit in an arresting officer's face, he got a life sentence instead, officials said July 2.
John Carl Marquez, 36, was convicted of 'placing bodily fluid upon a government employee,' a felony that can carry a life sentence because of the possibility of transmitting a potentially deadly disease.
State judge April Sellers White sentenced Marquez this week even though Marquez and the officer tested negative for any communicable disease.
Marquez also was convicted of assaulting a police officer, and a jury recommended the maximum sentence because he had previous convictions. Marquez, arrested several months ago, could have received one year in prison and a $3,000 fine for wife beating, according to the Creek County court clerk's office.
His lawyers said they plan to appeal.

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