Monday 7 November 2011

SBS: Virginia: Paul Farthing denied probation

Lorie Love Hailey   
RICHMOND — Family members of a baby killed by her father in 2010 breathed sighs of relief Thursday when a motion to grant shock probation to her killer was denied.
Jean Williamson, grandmother of 3-month-old Rylee Jean Campbell, thanked Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Jennifer Smith as she hugged her in Madison Circuit Court.
Paul Sanlan Farthing Jr., 32, was sentenced in May to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree manslaughter in his daughter’s death. He originally was charged with murder.
Attorney Jim Baechtold asked Circuit Judge Jean Chenault Logue to consider shock probation because, he said, Farthing is a first-time felon who already has served 544 days in jail.
“I’m sure we’re going to be agreeing to disagree on whether shock probation is appropriate,” Baechtold said.
Farthing is eligible for parole in about 114 days, the attorney said, but if Logue shocks him, she would have control over the conditions of his release.
Smith argued the only reason Farthing is “in the situation that he is” is because there were no witnesses.
“Rylee Campbell was a beautiful little baby and he killed her,” she said.
Farthing was arrested for his daughter’s death on April 14, 2010, after she died at the University of Kentucky Medical Center from what doctors there said was shaken-baby syndrome. She suffered from multiple injuries.
The baby had been in Farthing’s care prior to her injuries.
His mother told the Register the infant’s injuries occurred accidentally, while her maternal grandmother repeatedly disputed the story.
“Who is going to stick up for Rylee?” Williamson asked the Register on multiple occasions.
On Thursday, it seemed that Logue would fill that role.
“In this particular case, and I’ve reviewed it, it is one that I just don’t find appropriate to grant probation,” the judge ruled.
Farthing’s 10-year sentence was left unchanged, but because second-degree manslaughter is not considered a violent crime, Farthing must only serve 15 percent — or 1 1/2 years — of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
Lorie Love Hailey can be reached at editor@richmondregister.com or 624-6690.
http://richmondregister.com/localnews/x250779908/Judge-No-shock-probation-for-man-who-killed-baby

No comments:

Post a Comment