Posted 10:53 pm Friday, March 01, 2013
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Man sentenced to 15 years for robbery in Athens
Staff Report
Oliver O’neal Manuel, 41, formerly of Athens, was sentenced to 15 years in prison for robbery after a hearing in the 173rd Judicial District Court with Judge Dan Moore presiding, according to information from the office of District Attorney Scott McKee.
He was observed by loss prevention employees at the Wal-Mart store in Athens attempting in August 2011 to conceal various items from the store in his clothing, according to the information from the district attorney.
As Manuel attempted to leave the store without paying for the merchandise, he was confronted by three store employees but denied any wrongdoing and continued to try to exit the store.
He was observed by loss prevention employees at the Wal-Mart store in Athens attempting in August 2011 to conceal various items from the store in his clothing, according to the information from the district attorney.
As Manuel attempted to leave the store without paying for the merchandise, he was confronted by three store employees but denied any wrongdoing and continued to try to exit the store.
When asked not to leave, Manuel pulled out a knife with a box-cutter blade causing the employees to jump back in fear while Manuel escaped out the door, the district attorney’s office said.
Manuel testified in the hearing and asked that the judge place him on probation.
He blamed his actions on a drug problem, and he had been treated in several in-patient facilities for crack cocaine use.
In closing arguments, the prosecution asked that Manuel be sentenced to a prison term and argued to the court: “[T]his is a far cry from a probation case. The defendant is a threat to our community that has an extensive criminal history. Allowing him to be on our streets would put the people of Henderson County in jeopardy.”
Manuel testified in the hearing and asked that the judge place him on probation.
He blamed his actions on a drug problem, and he had been treated in several in-patient facilities for crack cocaine use.
In closing arguments, the prosecution asked that Manuel be sentenced to a prison term and argued to the court: “[T]his is a far cry from a probation case. The defendant is a threat to our community that has an extensive criminal history. Allowing him to be on our streets would put the people of Henderson County in jeopardy.”
