Christopher Tedford will have to wait again to find out his fate after a sentencing for sexual battery was issued and withdrawn Friday in Lowndes County Circuit Court.
Tedford, of Columbus, engaged in sexual penetration with a minor who was younger than 14 years old multiple times in a period stretching from January 2006 to April 2007, according to court documents. An affidavit from the case says the incidents happened “more times than (the victim) could remember.”
The 51-year-old was scheduled to go to trial this week before 16th Circuit Judge Lee Coleman, but pleaded guilty on Tuesday. Tedford also faced a fondling charge, but it will be dropped as part of the plea agreement.
Tedford faces 20 years to life in prison for sexual battery, the crime he pleaded guilty to.
On Friday morning, Coleman sentenced Tedford to 20 years in prison, with 10 years suspended and five years of post-release supervision. Later that morning, Coleman withdrew the sentence and set a second sentencing hearing for Monday after questions arose on the propriety of giving a partially-suspended sentence for the charge Tedford is facing.
“I have not had a Supreme Court decision or a Court of Appeals decision brought to my attention, but it’s been brought to my attention that it may not be proper for the court to suspend any portion of a sentence in a case that involves sexual battery of a person under 14 years of age by a person over the age of 18,” the judge said. “It’s also been brought to my attention that there may be authority to the contrary.”
Coleman reset the hearing for Monday and asked District Attorney Scott Colom and defense attorney Rod Ray to submit whatever supporting opinions they have at that time.
Long process
During the sentencing hearing on Friday, Coleman voiced concerns that the case had languished in the legal system for nearly 10 years. Tedford’s file includes at least 39 continuances, many of which cite the court or attorneys being involved in other cases when Tedford was scheduled to go to trial.
“The court is concerned about and believes the defendant in this case has lived a good life for 10 years since this thing happened and came to light,” Coleman said. “Part of the sentencing is for a person to rehabilitate themselves, and he’s had a good bit of community support on his behalf.
“However, the crime is one which is extremely serious,” Coleman continued. “This court feels that a substantial prison sentence is mandated whenever a crime like this is committed for the protection of the public.”
The victim did not testify during Friday’s sentencing hearing, which Colom said was part of the plea deal. Colom offered Coleman a statement in place of the victim’s testimony.
“She had asked me to let the court be aware of the fact that the battery she suffered during this period of time has affected her life,” Colom said. “It’s something she has to deal with constantly.”
Before the sentencing, Ray asked Coleman for leniency. He said he’d submitted 38 letters from friends and family members in support of Tedford.
Coleman said most of the letters expressed disbelief that Tedford was charged with the crime, and it was important for Tedford’s supporters to know he admitted guilt.
“His friends and supporters need to understand that he did in fact do what he was charged with, which is fondling an 8-year-old child,” Coleman said.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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