The Decatur County fall trial term saw two cases of note last week at the Decatur County Courthouse in Bainbridge.

Ricky Benyard was charged and pled guilty to Child Molestation and Sodomy. The evidence showed that he had sexual intercourse with a minor who was 14. Benyard was in his late 30s. 

Benyard knew the victim because he was dating her older sister. After impaneling a jury, Benyard pled guilty to all charges at the mercy of the Court.

“Apparently the Defendant didn’t like the looks of the jury, so he chose to plead for mercy before Judge Kevin Chason,” said District Attorney Joe Mulholland. “Chason sentenced the defendant to 20 years, 15 to serve in the State system. We were happy with the sentence, and thank the victim and her family for the courage to come forward to prosecute this sexual predator.”

The second case was David Robertson, who was charged with multiple counts of Aggravated Assault, Terroristic Threats and other various charges. 

The evidence showed that Robertson assaulted his wife, poured gas on her and then attempted to assault law enforcement with a crossbow when they responded to the domestic disturbance. 

At the conclusion of the trial, the jury found the defendant guilty of Terroristic Threats and three counts of Aggravated Assault.

“This was an atrocious crime,” Mulholland said. “The defendant poured gas all over his wife and threated to burn her alive. He also attempted to kill first responders. We thank the jury for seeing him for the monster he was and finding him guilty.” 

Judge Chason sentenced the Defendant to 40 years to serve in the State System.