Verdict

Astrid Pizarro

Exercise 3.15

            A jury found a Midville man guilty of second-degree manslaughter after an hour of deliberation on Tuesday.

Johnny Gene Garber was convicted at the end of a three-day trial which featured his mother testifying against him. He was charged with the death of a 39-year-old brickmason, Gardner Jackson of 12 Ninth St., Jonesville.

Garber stood silently as the jury read the verdict. The presiding judge, Jonas T. McMillan, set a sentencing hearing for next Monday at 8:00 am.

Garber was charged with driving under the influence in highway 69 last March. His car swerved out of control and ran head on into Jackson’s car, which had been attending services at the Midville Baptist Church.

During the trial, the prosecution attorney, Able Sasson, called Garber’s mother, Mrs. Minnie L. Garber, to testify that her son had been heavily drinking at their home the evening before the accident occurred.

Garber could receive a sentence of two to five years in prison for the crime he committed.