Dateline: August 7, 2003

Donley jury sentences man to 20 years

A Donley County Jury sentenced a Memphis man to 20 years in prison last week for escaping while under arrest for a Hall County driving while intoxicated charge.

Joe Perez Martinez, Jr., appeared in Judge David McCoy’s District Court on July 30, and the jury returned its guilty verdict after just 15 minutes of deliberation.

The jury reconvened on July 31 and heard evidence of two prior felony convictions out of Hall County and four prior misdemeanor convictions. The jury levied the maximum sentence which included assessing a fine of $10,000 against the defendant.

“This was an example of an individual who had been to prison, had two prior felonies, several misdemeanors, and was only 28 years old,” said District Attorney Stuart Messer.

“The jury sent a very clear message that there comes a time when there are no more breaks to be had. The jurors in this case returned a just verdict that was designed to protect the community from someone who had shown he was going to drink and drive no matter what.”