One of the men who entered pleas on association with the kidnapping and beating of a Nickerson man back in September of 2011 and two other cases was sentenced Friday by District Judge Tim Chambers. Jeremia Palmer was given a total of 78-months in prison, more then the defense wanted and certainly much less the what the state wanted.
The case centers on 28-year-old Larry McVey reporting that he had been kidnapped, beaten and robbed by three men back on September 8, 2011.
Palmer was charged with aggravated kidnapping, but as part of a plea agreement the state amended the complaint changing the charge to conspiracy to commit first degree murder. He also entered pleas to conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, aggravated battery, aggravated intimidation of a victim, two counts of criminal threat, one from another case. Then a charge of aggravated battery from a third case was knocked down to simple battery.
Palmer had also been charged with aggravated battery for an incident on July 22, 2011, when he allegedly battered Tyler Melton after he accused him of making some comment to his girlfriend. In the other case, he’s charged with criminal threat against Michael Young, which is reported to have occurred back on July 30, 2011.
Apparently the defense had Palmer go through a mental evaluation outside of any order of the court. It found he had some issues, but apparently not enough to effect sentencing. Defense Attorney Alice Osburn asked for a departure to community corrections, while state wanted a total of 137-months in prison. Osburn told the judge that Palmer has made strides to turn his life around and that there are agencies and programs outside of prison to help him, including drug treatment and anger management.
Family members told the judge that the victim, Larry McVey had actually come to see Palmer after he was released on bond from the county jail. The defendant’s mother said she was, “praying for mercy” adding that sending her son to prison would only make it worse. But, she also stated that the victim wasn’t honest with the D-A and the motive may have been over owed money.
However, the motive is believed to be over drug sales with Lawson not wanting the competition from McVey.
A co-defendant, Zachary Lawson was also offered a similar plea, but declined the offer. He’s charged with aggravated kidnapping, attempted aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, criminal threat, possession of drugs, possession of meth and marijuana. His case is awaiting a jury trial in front of Judge Tim Chambers. But, he also has charges by the feds for a case in Arkansas. His trial has been scheduled to begin on July 2. Palmer is expected to testify at Lawson’s trial assuming there is one.
The third defendant in the case, 28-year-old Jedrik Smith was sentenced to 196-months for two cases against him including the kidnapping case.