Convicted murderer Jamaal Marquez Pridgett, 20, was sentenced Tuesday to four life sentences plus 80 years in the 2008 death of 20-year-old Jerome Glover, and the shootings of three others.
A jury convicted Pridgett on 20 charges Thursday and Newton County Superior Court Judge Eugene Benton heard from the defense and prosecution once more Tuesday morning before sentencing Pridgett.
Assistant District Attorney Clint C. Malcolm brought up Pridgett’s juvenile background, saying that Pridgett had been convicted of charges including battery and the possession of marijuana and cocaine with intent to distribute. Pridgett was 18 when Glover was shot to death. He was 11 when the first charge was brought against him, simple battery in 2001.
Teri Smith, Pridgett’s attorney from the public defender’s office, argued that Pridgett’s prior record should not be considered because the crimes occurred when he was a juvenile, but Benton allowed them.
Malcolm also told the court that Pridgett had received 45 disciplinary reports while incarcerated, for a variety of things, including violent encounters with guards and other inmates and for possession of weapons, including shanks.
Pridgett has two pending cases against him for crimes allegedly committed in jail that were not taken into account with sentencing.
The slaying occurred in October 2008 after Pridgett was shooting dice with the victims. Tavorris Shy, Martec Barkley and Sedarius Stephens were wounded when Pridgett opened fire with a handgun.
"I think it is simply by the grace of God that the other victims didn’t suffer the same fate as Mr. Glover," said Malcolm.
Several of the 20 charges were merged, bringing the total down to 11. Before imposing sentence on the heavily shackled Pridgett, Benton commented on what he saw as "a lack of remorse."
A victim impact statement from Glover’s mother was read, reminding the court that Glover’s son — who had not been born at the time of his death — will never know his father.
"The only way I can talk to my son is by going to his grave… This hurt will always be in my heart…
Pridgett was sentenced to life for the charges of malice murder and three counts of armed robbery. He was sentenced to 20 years each for three counts of aggravated assault and five years each for four charges of possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony. Under Georgia law he will not be eligible for parole for at least 30 years.
"I'm very pleased with the jury's verdict," said Malcolm in an e-mail. "Justice was finally served."
