A former Bainbridge police sergeant was sentenced to 10 years probation and a $4,000 fine, during jury trials this past week, according to a press release from District Attorney Joseph K. Mulholland’s Office.

Mulholland was set to try former Sgt. Jon Harrison for his involvement in a string of burglaries in January of this year. Just before the trial was to commence, Harrison pled blind (at the mercy of the court) to two counts of violation of oath of office and obstruction of an officer. Harrison was sentenced to 10 years probation and a $4,000 fine.

According to Bainbridge Public Safety (BPS), Harrison was tied with Reco McGriff Cochran, who pled guilty on Aug. 8 to robbing three businesses: Imagination Express, 830 E. Shotwell St., Bainbridge Portable Buildings and Trailers, 826 E. Shotwell Street and Golden Beauty Supply, located at 907 E. Shotwell Street.

Harrison’s charges stemmed from a grand jury’s accusation that he “aided and assisted” Cochran with the burglaries and then gave misleading statements to investigators who were trying to solve the burglaries.

Cochran’s sentence was deferred until a later court date, after Harrison’s trial could be concluded, according to the District Attorney’s office, which confirmed that Cochran also pled blind.

Other cases

Two other cases were impaneled for jury trials last week in Decatur County.

The first case impaneled was tried by Assistant District Attorney Benny Harrell. Kendall Gibson was convicted of possession of cocaine and obstruction of an officer, and sentenced to 15 years to serve on the cocaine charge, and 12 months to serve on the obstruction count.

Mulholland, assisted by third-year law student and special assistant district attorney Mellori Lumpkin, also tried and convicted Norman Hampton of felony theft. Hampton was sentenced to 10 years to serve. Since it was Hampton’s third felony theft case, he will have to serve the entire 10-year sentence and will not be eligible for parole.

“This was a very good week for our office. We had a very good jury pool and we were able to secure convictions in all of our cases,” Mulholland said.