Man To Go 20Years Imprisonment For Spitting On Police
A man in Lubbock, Texas, as of 13 April, was sentenced to 70 years in prison for spitting at police officers during an arrest in May 2019.
36-year-old Larry Pearson was arrested for charges relating to domestic violence after a woman was hit several times in the face.
Pearson became angry when officers did not arrest the victim, and attacked their police cruiser door.
Opening the door, officers demanded Pearson stop, but he spat in their faces.
Pearson was charged with two counts of harassment of a public servant and was found guilty by a jury.
Prosecutor Jessica Gorman urged the jury to “send a message” with the sentence given to Pearson, who had previous convictions for aggravated robbery and family violence.
Gorman noted that as a result of Pearson’s previous criminal history, he faced a minimum sentence of 25 years.
Defence attorney Jim Shaw admitted that Pearson had overreacted, but argued that this demeanour fencing was disproportionate for a “simple misdemeanour” offence.
According to the New York Post, Pearson left the victim with multiple visible injuries.
Despite being found guilty, Pearson continued to spit at officers even after he arrived at the Lubbock County Detention Center.
The court case came to a close with the jury handing down a 70-year prison sentence for Pearson.
“This is what happens when you betray society and you continue to behave like this,” said prosecutor Jessica Gorman.
She alluded to the fact that Pearson’s sentence would ensure he serves time among other criminals.
Pearson’s 70-year prison sentence is seen as an example of the harsh penalties that come with threatening or assaulting a police officer in Texas.
