FARMINGTON – A man convicted of manslaughter in 2000 will serve six years of his suspended sentence in a Department of Corrections facility, after a district court judge partially revoked his probation.
Jeremiah Paulton, 26, of Farmington, was originally sentenced to 20 years in prison, with all but seven years suspended, after he was convicted of stabbing Blaine Jasper, 30, beneath the ribs with a knife during an altercation between two neighboring families at the Sherwood Apartments on High Street in 1999. Jasper later died from the wound.
Paulton, who was 16 at the time of the incident, was released in 2006, having served seven years in prison.
However, on Aug. 10, 2008, Paulton called his ex-girlfriend and mother of his daughter. According to the victim’s testimony, Paulton became irate that he had not been informed that she had been involved in a car accident with his daughter in the back seat.
“He told me not to fu– with him or that he would kill me,” the victim said.
On Jan. 6, Judge Valerie Stanfill found Paulton guilty of both terrorizing, a Class D misdemenor, and of violating the conditions of his parole. Sentencing was continued until today.
Today, Assistant District Attorney James Andrews attempted to link Paulton’s recent behavior in the terrorizing incident with the death of Jasper. Both incidents, he noted, had sprung from relatively minor, “banal” arguments.
Andrews cited a 2006 assault charge which was dismissed, with Paulton serving 21 days for a probation violation. In the 2008 terrorizing incident, Andrews said, Paulton displayed violent reactions when confronted by police, punching a car and swearing at officers.
“One of the most disturbing things about this is not the incident itself,” Andrews said, “but is [Paulton’s] reaction to it and to being confronted with it by police.”
A number of Jasper’s relatives were in the courtroom as well, asking Stanfill to give Paulton the maximum sentence possible.
“I watched in the courtroom,” Gary Jasper, Blaine Jasper’s brother told the court, “there was no emotion, no remorse and no sympathy for his actions. Put justice where it duly deserves.”
“He never gave a darn for the life he took,” Cindy Jasper, Blaine Jasper’s sister-in-law said, “or the people he hurt.”
Letters from Blaine Jasper’s children were also read.
Paulton’s attorney, Joshua Robbins, argued that a lengthy prison sentence would not solve his client’s issues. He cited a forensic evaluation which recommended several different treatment programs for psycological and substance abuse counseling, not a long DOC sentence and immediate release into society.
“Ultimately, the 20 year sentence is going to run out,” Robbins said.
Paulton breifly addressed the court, turning to directly face Jasper’s family, offering his “sincerist apologies.”
“If I could change the past I would, in a heartbeat,” he said. “I wish I could change it.”
Stanfill echoed Robbins’ concerns over Paulton’s reintroduction into society, noting that even if she gave him the full 13 years remaining on his suspended sentence he would still be relatively young when he was finally released. However, she also agreed with Andrews that some sort of prison sentence was appropriate.
“This is the second, not the first, probation revocation,” she said. “That cannot go unpunished.”
Paulton was sentenced to serve six years of his suspended sentence in a DOC facility. He will also serve a concurrent sentence of 364 days in jail on the terrorizing charge, the maximum sentence for a Class D crime, and will continue to be on probation when released.
Stanfill also ordered that Paulton will undergo batterer’s intervention, substance abuse counseling and psychological counseling.
He wouldnt change the past if he could. He had the chance to change after he was released from prison in September 2005, and still chose to walk down the same path that he was on in 1999. Violent and aggressive. He doesnt care about anyone. Not even himself. There are no excuses for his actions or the things he does. Although he seems to think so, and his mother tries to make excuses for him. But shes part of the reason that he is the way he is. Even still, hes never going to change. Hes always going to think that intimidating people is the way to go. He has an almost 3 year old daughter. What kind of example is that setting for her? None! Cuz she doesnt know him, and doesnt need to know a man like that. She deserves better! Its not fair for me or anyone to walk around in fear because someone has threatened their life. 6 years?? Not even close to being long enough. He has something to look forward too! Blaine Jasper doesnt! Jeremiah needs more then just those services that he has to undergo. Batterers Intervention?? He makes his victims think that its their fault he assaulted them. That if they would have done something different then he wouldnt have had to get physical with them..Manipulation is one of his tools!! And after him manipulating and threatening 1 person for 3 years. She finally stood up for herself!!
im so glad that jerimiah is getting sent back to prison because blaine was my whole world he was my best friend was about to be my stepdad he helped me thru so much of the things that i was going thru when i was little he meant the world to me and all his friends and family. and his kids. i hate the fact that jeremiah did this to blaine for no reason and especialy it was on my back step at sherwood apts. i can never stop thinking of that day everytime i think of him i cry for hours. because i miss him so much. after he got murdered i lost it and have been thru so much in my life since then. jeremiah deserves all the jail time that he gets. i hate him with a passion . I love you blaine!! Rest in Peace. i was 9 when this happend i am now 19 its been a long time of heartache and problems for me . im still trying to find ways to get thru it but cant.