Man received a lifetime sentence for attempting to force a woman into sex, with the district attorney confirming the outcome.
In a recent court ruling, Steven Robertson, a 78-year-old resident of Mississippi, has been sentenced to 30 years in prison for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
The incident took place in DeSoto County, Mississippi, and the details were provided by the DeSoto County District Attorney's Office. According to the information, Robertson shot a woman during the incident, injuring her leg. His son attempted to disarm him during the confrontation.
The shooting occurred after the woman refused to have sex with Robertson, but it's important to note that she was not compelled to remove her clothing prior to the shooting.
Mississippi law emphasizes that the indictment or charges must clearly specify the use or threat of a deadly weapon or a means likely to cause serious injury. The victim's refusal of sexual demands per se does not change the aggravated assault statute; rather, it is the use of a deadly weapon or force meeting those criteria during the assault that elevates the charge.
Robertson was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for the incident. District Attorney Matthew Barton stated that the sentence effectively amounts to a life sentence for Robertson, as he will spend the rest of his life in prison, wearing a striped jumpsuit.
The sentence was handed down in the Mississippi Department of Corrections, where Robertson will serve two consecutive 15-year sentences. It's worth noting that no further details about the conditions of either Robertson or the victims were provided.
This case serves as a reminder that aggravated assault with a deadly weapon requires proof of a deadly weapon used in a way likely to cause death or serious injury. Refusal of sexual demands by the victim does not by itself affect this legal standard. The assault charge depends on the weapon and injury elements documented in the case.
[1] Mississippi Code Annotated § 97-3-15 (2021) [2] Mississippi Code Annotated § 97-3-17 (2021) [3] Mississippi Code Annotated § 97-3-15(1)(a) (2021) [4] Mississippi Code Annotated § 97-3-17(1) (2021)
- The incident involving Steven Robertson, a resident of Mississippi, is a prime example of how war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news can intersect in real life, as it has led to a lengthy prison sentence following a court ruling.
- The crime-and-justice system in Mississippi is putting Robertson, who was sentenced to 30 years for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, through a process of justice, with his sentencing taking place in the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
