DAD AND STEP-MOM PLEAD GUILTY TO BEATING 13-YEAR-OLD

Father Angry That Son Didn't Bring Home All "A"s-Gets One Year Sentence

Fulton County District Attorney Paul L. Howard, Jr. announces the conviction by guilty plea today of Jean Pierre and Courtney Marshall of Atlanta on one count of cruelty to children in the first degree and one count of misdemeanor battery. The couple was arrested last March after their 13-year-old son, Jacob, fled his home barefoot and in torn clothes and returned to Price Middle School following an horrific beating. His teacher, Sabrina Golphin, testified at the sentencing hearing today that the child was shaking and "almost hysterical." She said he had been afraid to go home because he didn't get all "A"s. She said he begged her to change the non-"A"s to "A"s and when she said she couldn't, he "threatened to kill himself."

Police say that on March 27, 2007, the 42-year-old father and 26-year-old step-mother beat the child severely about the head, face and body with a belt and their fists when he came home from school. Police say Jean Pierre punched Jacob in the face causing him to lose consciousness. They say the beating caused bruises and lacerations to Jacob's back stomach and face. Photographs of the child's injuries were introduced into evidence. Jacob now lives with his biological mother in Wisconsin. She told the Court today, she would leave it to the judge " to see justice done."

Superior Court Judge Michael D. Johnson sentenced Mrs. Marshall to 5 years probation and Mr. Marshall to 10 years to serve one in custody. Upon his release, Mr. Marshall is also required to attend intensive anger management and parenting classes and have no "violent" contact with his child. In imposing sentence, Judge Johnson said, "A parent has a right to discipline a child, in fact, he has an obligation to do so. But clearly this went well beyond that which is appropriate."

This case was prosecuted by Senior Assistant District Attorneys Geniece Granville and Michael Herskowitz. The investigation was handled by Investigator D. B. Jones and Officer A. B. Smith of the Atlanta Police Department and Cynthia Williamson of the DA's Investigations Unit. Forensic psychotherapist Anique Whitmore and victim advocate Natalie Head of the DA's Victim-Witness Assistant Program provided services to the victim, his family and the witnesses.

CONTACT: Lyn Vaughn, 404.730.6860 (office); 770.597.6963 (cell); lyn.vaughn@co.fulton.ga.us