rogers draws maximum sentence

Saturday, June 30, 2007

Rogers Draws Maximum Sentence On Attempted Manslaughter Conviction

A Killen, Alabama, man drew the maximum sentence on an attempted manslaughter conviction Friday morning during a sentencing hearing in Lawrence County Circuit Court.

Jeffrey Dwight “Do Right” Rogers, 45, of 215 Lauderdale 339, Killen, was found guilty in May on the lesser charge of attempted manslaughter in connection with the August 19, 2006, shooting of 48-year-old Stephen Gerald “PeeWee” Clemmons, 48, of 256 Lauderdale 398, Killen. Clemmons was shot during an altercation at the Eternal Brotherhood of Gentlemen Bikers (“EGBG”) Club at 91 Old Jackson Highway, near the Tennessee/Alabama state line. Rogers was arrested shortly after the shooting on charges of assault with intent to kill and illegal possession of a firearm where alcohol is sold or served.

Prosecutors maintained that the attack, during which Rogers struck Clemmons repeatedly in the head, knees, and ribs with a baseball bat, was unprovoked. During the altercation, they indicated that Rogers fired a single round from his .40 caliber Smith and Wesson handgun. The round struck Clemmons in the chin and traveled through his right shoulder before exiting through his lower back. After being shot, Clemmons reportedly fled to nearby 43 Lounge to seek help.

Following nearly four hours of deliberations, jurors returned the guilty verdict on the lesser charge. They affixed a fine of $5,000.

The crime of attempted manslaughter carries a sentencing range of between two and four years. During Friday’s sentencing hearing, Judge Robert Jones ordered that Rogers serve the maximum four years. Rogers is to serve 12 months imprisoned, and the remaining 36 months on supervised probation. To date, Rogers has been incarcerated for ten months.

In addition, Jones awarded $3,300 to the victim to cover medical expenses.

Jury returns guilty verdict on lesser charge