Cantrell sentencing awaiting testimony from shooting victim
Judge Bart Stanley wants to hear from the house guest who was shot by his host before deciding how long the gunman will spend in jail.
The defendant, Gary Cantrell, 55, had hoped the court would accept a negotiated plea agreement Wednesday which would have made him serve 300 days of an eight-year sentence on reduced charges of aggravated assault. Cantrell had originally been charged with attempted first-degree murder for the shooting of victim John Judge, 38, outside Cantrell’s Salem Road home late last year.
Judge was shot three times with a .38 caliber revolver wielded by Cantrell, inflicting wounds to the midsection, arm and ear.
The shooting happened when Cantrell returned home to find Judge still at his residence. Judge had been staying with Cantrell for some time but had been asked to leave. Judge maintained he was ambushed when he walked outside the residence while Cantrell maintains Judge put his hand in his pocket, leading him to believe his guest may have been reaching for a gun. Cantrell claimed self-defense during his preliminary hearing.
The plea agreement spelled out for Stanley was met with questions as to why the victim was not in court. District Attorney General Dale Potter said his office has been in contact with Judge and the victim has “waffled” on what punishment Cantrell should receive.
In light of the situation, Judge Stanley said he wants to speak with the victim July 14 before he finalizes the sentence.
“These are serious charges that this man called the victim outside and shot him,” Stanley said. “I want to speak to the victim before we go any further.”