Hughes was originally suspended as district attorney after his indictment in 2020 and has been removed from public office as a result of his conviction. Eventually, the two ended up on the kitchen floor and Betty was dead. Hughes alleged there was a prolonged struggle with his wife in the kitchen of their house, which he said was like World War III. At the time, the two were in a strained relationship. Opelika police identify, charge theft suspects after month investigation, WATCH: Funeral services underway for UGA staffer Chandler LeCroy, Columbus police searches to ID suspect from McDonalds theft, Columbus Police Department searching for hit and run suspect, Harris County community anticipates free health fair in Hamilton, Harris Co. School District, Mercer Medicine set to launch new telehealth program, Swim instructor arrested in 4-year-old Izzy Scott drowning, $14,000 from his offices official budget. Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. m PST so we may assist you. The defense said those actions werent illegal and didnt hurt Hughess job performance. Misuse of the information in this website may subject the user to criminal prosecution and/or civil liability. Former Lee County District Attorney Pro Tem Jessica Ventiere is the countys new acting district attorney, according to orders from the Lee County circuit and district courts signed Monday. LEE COUNTY, Ala. (WTVM) - Former Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes officially has a sentencing court date set. Hughes is requesting to serve in a community corrections program that allows him to remain at home instead of serving 10-months in jail. OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) - The trial of former Lee County Attorney Brandon Hughes comes to an abrubt halt, even before the jury heard all the testimony. In total, the judge sentenced Hughes to three years, split to serve ten months. Testimony during the trial described Hughess office as a frat house where employees drank alcohol on site and played video game consoles, pointing to an abuse of trust and taxpayer dollars. Former Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes was sentenced Tuesday for violating the state's ethics laws and committing perjury while in office. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Responding officers said they confirmed that forced entry had been made into the business. The explosion on Oct. 22, 2019, left the Hughes's Brandon house in ruins. Edward Seibold, the man found guilty of slaying three innocent girls in 1967, will remain behind bars for at least another five years. If you believe any information in this site is in error, please contact the CDCR Identification Unit at (916) 445-6713. Additionally, Hughes will be required to pay back the Lee County District Attorneys Fund $14,000 in legal fees related to the use of his public office for personal gain and to pay restitution to a Chambers County business related to a dismissed charge. See the criminal sentencing guidelines in action on this unique criminal sentence database - crime and criminal sentences with statute and common law - updated daily and linking through to the legal teams involved in the criminal court case. Former Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes was sentenced Tuesday for violating the state's ethics laws and committing perjury while in office. Hughes lawyers argued that Hughes does not pose a threat to the community. The community program would allow him to receive the rehabilitative care he needs to learn from his mistakes, and he would be able to continue financially supporting his family if he was admitted into the program. Hughes, 47, turned himself in to the Lee County Sheriffs Office on Nov. 8, 2020, on multiple felony charges, which included five counts of using a position for personal gain, one count of conspiracy to commit theft and one count of first-degree perjury. Testimony during the trial described Hughess office as a frat house where employees drank alcohol on site and played video game consoles, pointing to an abuse of trust and taxpayer dollars. Columbus police on scene of bank robbery at Wells Fargo on Milgen Rd. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears said Brandon Hughes was convicted in a two-day trial in March with attempted murder and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon. "I will forever live with the grief of losing my mother and the trauma caused by her death," read Adam. Former Lee Co. DA sentenced to jail for violating ethics law while in office. Hughess convictions stem from giving false information to a Lee County Grand Jury and using $14,000 from his offices official budget to litigate a settlement in a sex discrimination claim filed against him by a female prosecutor who was a former employee. Copyright 2021 WBRC. Alex Hosey, Former Lee County District Attorney. In total, the judge sentenced Hughes to three years, split to serve ten months. Riley Laychuk is a news anchor and reporter for CBC News in Winnipeg. Both the Crown and defence agreed that the explosion was caused by the Hughes's actions. Brandon Hughes, aged 24, of The Croft, Westhoughton, pleaded guilty to committing the offence. In December, Robert Hughes, 65, was found guilty by a jury of 12 people of. His defense requested he serve a non-custodial sentence in a community corrections program, which was denied. Police identified the third suspect as Joshua Williams III, who remained silent as police escorted him away from MPD Headquarters on his way to Metro Jail. When search suggestions are available use up and down arrows to review and enter to select. When they arrived, the walls of the house were blown out and Manitoba Hydro had to turn off the natural gas line. TUSCUMBIA, Ala. (WBRC) - The man elected to uphold the law in Lee County will now serve ten months in the Lee County Jail. Sentencing Date. The Alabama Supreme Court appointed retired Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Pamela Baschab to preside over the case. 5 Auburn gymnastics takes on No. Pathologist Dennis Rhee testified Betty had more than a dozen injuries when she died, but the ultimate cause of death was blood loss from an 11.7-centimetre wound that extended from her eyebrow across her temple and into her ear. In total, the judge sentenced Hughes to three years, split to serve ten months. His defense requested he serve a non-custodial sentence in a community corrections program, which was denied. Judge Pamela Baschab set a hearing on Oct. 5 for former Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes, who pleaded guilty in June to perjury and using his office for person gain, WTVM-TV reported. A split sentence is hard time and isnt subject to parole. Both Carr and McNeely had pleaded guilty on December 28, 2021. Vanderhooftsaid during the trial that after Hughes killed his wife, hetried to take his own life. In September, Hughes filed a motion requesting to avoid jail time and serve his time in a community corrections program. 2 Florida, Just incredible: Pearl celebrates success of his former players, Auburn gymnastics moves to No. All rights reserved. April 19, 2014 12 AM PT. Former Lee Co. DA sentenced to jail for violating ethics law while in office, Reality TV stars Todd and Julie Chrisley report to prison, Gov. A man found guilty of second-degree murder in the death of his wife is scheduled to be sentenced for the crime in May. "I have reluctantly come to accept that I will never be the person I once was. Sentencing for former Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes has been postponed from its original date of Tuesday following the Monday death of a law clerk for the defense, according to. Unauthorized attempts to change the information in this website are strictly prohibited and may be subject to criminal prosecution and/or civil liability. Barry Matson, the executive director of the Alabama District Attorneys Association, thanked the Alabama Attorney Generals Office on behalf of his organization for its work in the prosecution of Hughes and the staff of the Lee County DAs Office for getting through the difficult process. An Opelika man has been arrested in connection to a shooting incident that allegedly occurred Monday morning at Piggly Wiggly located at 1515 . A Lee County Sheriffs Deputy is said to be recovering from exposure to a hazardous substance that investigators said could have been Fentanyl. In June, Hughes pleaded guilty to first-degree perjury and using his public office for personal gain. The Alabama Supreme Court appointed retired Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals Judge Pamela Baschab to preside over the case. You can cancel at any time. The inmate's current location is in Plainfield, Indiana, and you can visit . All rights reserved. Ventieres appointment comes after the conviction of former District Attorney Brandon Hughes, who pleaded guilty to a felony violation of the State Ethics Act and first-degree perjury Thursday. Prior to serving on the appellate court, she was a circuit judge in Colbert County, hence the location for Hughess sentencing. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Lee County District Attorney BrandonHughes. A second-degree murder conviction carries an automatic life sentence. TUSCUMBIA, Ala. . A statement from the couple's other child, Ashley, was also read in court. Under the plea agreement, Hughes has agreed to a three-year sentence for both counts, split to serve ten months in jail. 5 Auburn shines in spots at No. Hughes will appear in court on November 9 at 1:30 p.m. CST at the Colbert County Courthouse. Former Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes was sentenced Tuesday for violating the states ethics laws and committing perjury while in office. Get the latest in local public safety news with this weekly email. ", "I died two-and-a-half years ago," he said, in a brief statement to the court. Testimony during the trial described Hughess office as a frat house where employees drank alcohol on site and played video game consoles, pointing to an abuse of trust and taxpayer dollars. Neither CDCR, nor the State of California, nor any elected officials, officers or agents, nor employees shall be held responsible for any errors or omissions in this website, or produced by secondary dissemination of this information. by Cary at 5:28 PM on Sun, Feb 22, 2009: Please pray for my young brother, Michael (22). Judge Pamela Baschab set a hearing on Oct. 5 for former Lee County. At . The defense said those actions werent illegal and didnt hurt Hughess job performance. Former Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes (Lee County Detention Center). "My mom was always there for me in the best of times and the worst of times," said Adam Hughes, the couple's son, ina victim impact statement delivered in Brandon's Court of Queen's Bench on Wednesday, as part of Robert Hughes's sentencing hearing. Hughes will be sentenced at a later date. This article was published 19/01/2022 (364 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current. A Lee County Sheriffs Deputy is said to be recovering from exposure to a hazardous substance that investigators said could have been Fentanyl. Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement updated 7/1/2022). She said she is still seeking a therapist who can help her cope. Blanchards mother, Angela Harris, attended Tuesdays sentencing as a character witness for Hughes. Hughess convictions stem from giving false information to a Lee County Grand Jury and using $14,000 from his offices official budget to litigate a settlement in a sex discrimination claim filed against him by a female prosecutor who was a former employee. Justice Scott Abel reserved his decision, which will be delivered at a later date. He tampered withthe gas supply to the boiler in the home's basement,causing a massive explosion, Vanderhooft said. Brandon Hughes violated the public trust and therefore deserved to serve his sentence in jail, said Chief Deputy Attorney General Clay Crenshaw in a statement. Lumber prices are increasing daily and it's impacting the prices of new homes. The people of Lee County and all Alabama citizens expect and deserve the highest ethical standards and professionalism from every person in the criminal justice system, especially prosecutors. "I am a different person than before my mom's death," said Adam, reading Ashley's written statement aloud to the court. Along with the 10-month jail sentence and 2 years of probation, Hughes is ordered to pay $14,000 in restitution to the Lee County District Attorneys Office in order to repay the money he spent in public funds to pay for a sexual descrimination civil suit against him in 2018 as well as $1,350 to Highway 50 Towing, a business in Chambers County related to Hughes now-dismissed charge of conspiracy to commit theft. Starting at $14.99 plus taxes every four weeks you can access your Brandon Sun online and full access to all content as it appears on our website. In December of 2019, Hughes announced his office was seeking the death penalty in this case. This website is provided as an informational service only and does not constitute, and should not be relied upon as, an official record of CDCR. You have permission to edit this article. by Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Former Lee County District Attorney Brandon Hughes was sentenced Tuesday for violating the state's ethics laws and committing perjury while in office. His. During Hughes's trial,Crown and defence lawyers gave very different versions about what happened in the Hughes home the night of the explosion. Defence lawyer SaulSimmondstold the court that it was Betty who started an altercation in the home, and she ultimately stabbed herself with one of Robert's utility knives as the couple fought in their kitchen. Former Lee Co. 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The Crown, led by Chris Vanderhooft, told the jury that the couple had ongoing marital issues and Betty had planned to leave Robert. 7 with two road scores, Date set for capital murder trial of man accused of murdering Auburn police officer in 2019, District judge revokes bond of man charged in Bramblett deaths, Opelika police ask for help identifying to female suspects allegedly involved in theft from Best Buy, Auburn Police arrest two juveniles on burglary and theft charges, Opelika man arrested in connecting to shooting incident at Piggly Wiggly, In Vienna, balls are back with a bang after a two-year pandemic-induced hiatus, Why Floridas manatees are dying off at record pace, 45 dead, 20 still missing as Ukraine ends tower block search, Fed official says rate hikes are beginning to work. In total, the judge sentenced Hughes to three years, split to serve ten months. Extreme care must be taken in the use of the information in this website. If Hughes violates the terms of his sentence he will be required to serve 3 years. He is now scheduled to be sentenced on May 18. At times, survival has meant pushing people away who just want to help. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). Blanchards mother, Angela Harris, attended Tuesdays sentencing as a character witness for Hughes. His defense requested he serve a non-custodial sentence in a community corrections program, which was denied. In December, Robert Hughes, 65, was found guilty by a jury of 12 people of killing his wife, Betty Hughes, before their east end house blew up. His defense requested he serve a non-custodial sentence in a community corrections program, which was denied. Hughes originally pleaded not guilty to all the charges against him, but after the second day of trial pleaded guilty to first-degree perjury and one count of using his public office for personal gain and agreed to a three-year sentence for both counts. 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