A Texas man was reportedly sentenced to 70 years in prison for spitting at Lubbock police officers during an arrest last May.
Cops picked up Larry Pearson, 36, on domestic violence charges after he allegedly hit a woman several times in the face, leaving her with “multiple visible injuries
When the victim wasn’t taken into custody by the police, Pearson allegedly became enraged and began kicking the police cruiser’s door. According to the website, Pearson spit at two officers who had opened the door to demand that he stop and continued to do so even after they had taken him to the Lubbock County Detention Center.
A man in Texas has been sentenced to 70 years in prison for a spitting at cops.
— dara faye (@darafaye) April 13, 2023
His min.sentence would have been 25 yrs because of his record, but the prosecutor asked the jury to consider a number that would “send a message” to the defendant.
Meet Prosecutor Jessica Gorman. pic.twitter.com/AukYqXMhDF
He was later convicted on two counts of harassing a public employee by the jury.
Prosecutor Jessica Gorman urged the jury to “send a message” with its verdict to the defendant and society during the trial’s closing statements.
According to Gorman, Pearson has prior convictions for family violence and violent robbery. He was therefore subject to a 25-year minimum sentence.
“If you’re going to live a life of crime, you’re going to do that among other criminals in prison,” Gorman stated.
According to Jim Shaw, Pearson’s defense attorney, the sentence was imposed for a “simple misdemeanor” that spiraled out of control.
“You’re not going to get 70 years for something like this when you’ve never been in trouble before,” according to Gorman.
