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Sentencing continued for man convicted of violating probation on manslaughter

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FARMINGTON – The sentencing hearing for a local man, convicted of manslaughter in 2000 and recently found guilty of terrorizing, was continued today, after the man’s attorney said he needed time to investigate new information.

Jeremiah Paulton, 26, of Farmington, was scheduled to be sentenced today on a terrorizing conviction, as well as violating the conditions of his release when he told his girlfriend in 2008 “not to fu– with him or that he would kill [her].” However, Judge Valerie Stanfill approved a motion to continue the hearing filed by Paulton’s attorney, Joshua Robbins, and the hearing is now scheduled for April 27.

In 2000, Paulton was a 17-year-old when he was convicted of stabbing Blaine Jasper, 30, between the ribs with a knife during an argument at the Sherwood Apartments on High Street in Farmington. Jasper died of his stab wounds and another man involved in the fight, Derrick Viles, who also had a knife, was stabbed in the stomach. Viles survived his wounds.

Paulton pleaded guilty to manslaughter, a Class A felony, in exchange of having a charge of murder dropped against him. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison, with all but seven years suspended. Therefore, he potentially could get up to 13 years in prison for recent violating the conditions of his release.

The charge of terrorizing, a Class D misdemeanor, was brought against Paulton by the state for an incident which occurred last year. On Aug. 10, 2008, Paulton called his ex-girlfriend and the 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,” she said.

Stanfill sided with the state and found Paulton guilty of both terrorizing and violating the conditions of release. She set the sentencing hearing for today, noting that several members of Jasper’s family, in addition to Paulton’s family, had asked to testify.

Today however, Stanfill announced that she had granted Robbins’ motion to continue the hearing, over the “strong objections” of Assistant District Attorney James Andrews.

Afterwards, Robbins said that new information “provided by a state employee” had been brought to his attention at the end of last week.

“I’m not sure if I’ll file any more motions on this,” Robbins said, adding that due to the timing he needed the continuance to “gather evidence which might benefit [his] client.”

In court, Robbins also asked Stanfill to allow Paulton to enter a 30-day substance abuse treatment program at the St. Francis House in Auburn, while waiting for the April 27 sentencing hearing. Andrews said he was opposed to the request, and Stanfill immediately denied it.

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