STARKVILLE — Jan Morgan can move on.
A Clay County judge Thursday found Robbie Norton, of Cedar Bluff, guilty of negligence and imposed a fine of $50 for running over Morgan with her vehicle on May 22.
Morgan, who was cycling on Highway 50 at the time of the accident, originally filed a simple assault with a deadly weapon charge — a misdemeanor — against Norton. But Justice Court Judge Joe Taggart handed out a guilty verdict for the lesser charge.
“Court is over, and that’s a big relief,” Morgan said shortly after the trial. “I’m really glad there was a guilty verdict. I do feel a sense of closure now that something has happened.”
Norton didn’t take the stand, and the defense didn’t have call any witnesses. She has 30 days to appeal.
Norton faced up six months in jail and a $500 fine.
Morgan said she took the stand, despite not remembering the incident.
Witnesses said that Norton ran over Morgan’s head a second time while trying to move her vehicle to the side of the road.
Morgan was in a coma for close to a month and has spent rehabilitation time at the Shepherd Center in Atlanta and the Quest Center in Jackson.
“There’s nothing that she can do to take it away, the pain my husband felt,” Morgan said. “All I can do is just move forward. I hope this shows people how careful they need to be when they’re on the road.”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 38 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
