(RIGHT) - Convicted sex offender Bradley Wade is escorted from court last Monday by Deputy Danny Ellis, Major Jackie Womack, and Sheriff Patrick Cannon.
By DON PITTMAN First published in the March 12 edition.
(RIGHT) - Convicted sex offender Bradley Wade is escorted from court last Monday by Deputy Danny Ellis, Major Jackie Womack, and Sheriff Patrick Cannon.
Last Monday, convicted child molester Bradley Wade was sentenced to prison for his crimes.
In May of last year, Wade was convicted on three counts of child molestation and one count of sexual battery. The sexual battery charge merged with one of the child molestation charges, according to Judge Christina Connelly, so Wade was sentenced for the three counts of child molestation.
Assistant District Attorney Len Gregor said that Wade would serve at least 10 years in prison before beginning probation for the remainder of his sentence. Wade will be considered a sexual predator, and be on the Sex Offender Registry for the rest of his life. Judge Connelly said the conditions of the Sex Offender list would not affect his relationship with his own children. She also pointed out that Wade had a clean criminal record before his conviction.
Wade, a resident of Alabama, was charged with molesting an underage boy in Dade County, while in route between his home in DeKalb County, Ala., and the victims home in Jackson County, Ala.
At the trial last year the victim’s family seemed relieved that Wade was convicted.
“We couldn’t find this kind of justice in Jackson and DeKalb County,” Eric Casey, a brother of the victim said at the trial last year.
Casey, and his brother’s testimony while on the stand, pointed to multiple incidents of child abuse over at least a two year relationship that Wade shared with his wife’s little brother.
Because the boy is still a minor, his identity is protected. His sister says that he is recovering from the abuse and that she regards him as a hero.
“He seems to be doing fine, he saved my son from being the next victim,” Wade’s ex-wife Rhona said last year.
During the hearing March 3, Melisa Giles, representing the victim’ family, asked for the maximum sentence.
“(The victim) did not deserve or want Brad to do those cruel and sick things to him,” she said. “He hurt so many other people with his actions.”
Linda Sheffield represented Wade this time, and she would not let him speak in his own defense at the hearing.
After the conviction last spring, both families expressed emotion in the courtroom. Judge Connelly chastised the outburst, and Wade’s mother fainted. Connelly cautioned the families about causing a ruckus in the courtroom at the sentencing.
Authorities were worried that they might have to deal with tension from one, or both sides of the courtroom, so they reported being extra diligent. There were around a dozen deputies and bailiffs in the courtroom during the sentencing. Sheriff Patrick Cannon was also on hand when the sentence was read, and he escorted Wade from the courtroom directly after the proceedings.
“The state was satisfied with the sentence,” ADA Gregor said after the hearing. “This will give him time to think about his actions, and maybe keep him from hurting anyone else when he gets out.”
The Dade Sentinel
http://dadesentinel.com/article.php/20080314090200439