By Betsy Finklea
The 16-year-old defendant in the Stutts murder case pled guilty on Monday and was sentenced on Thursday, one day after he testified against a co-defendant in the case.
John Henry Bridges, Jr. was sentenced to the following: murder-40 years, armed robbery-30 years concurrent, burglary first-30 years concurrent, kidnapping-30 years concurrent, grand larceny-10 years concurrent, and criminal conspiracy-five years concurrent. He was sentenced to five years consecutive on possession of a weapon during the commission of a violent crime in the August 2009 death of Mary Alice Stutts. Judge Thomas Russo said that sentencing was the most difficult thing that he had to do. He said he does what he believes is correct or right. He said from the family’s perspective there is not enough time that a defendant can be sentenced to and on the defendant’s side is a plea for mercy. “I think this case falls somewhere in between,” Russo said. He said he would never say anything to excuse the conduct of this young man, but he was giving some consideration. Then he stated his reasons.
Judge Russo said that while Bridges was the youngest, he seems to have operated in a more mature way. He took police to where Stutts was and if he had not, the family could have had days or weeks of wondering. He said Bridges actions allowed the family to have an appropriate burial and to have their loved one back.
Judge Russo said also Bridges owned up to what he did. He said he made no excuses. He did not sugarcoat it, and he admitted to what he did. “I believe he told the truth,” said Judge Russo. He said Bridges knew he was guilty and didn’t put the family needlessly through a trial.
He said for these reasons he was not maxing him out with a life sentence, but he was also not considering a minimum sentence.
Russo told the family that he cannot imagine where they are. “I encourage those of you who are people of faith to seek reward in finding a way to forgive,” said Russo.
“If you harbor hate and resentment, it does not harm Mr. Bridges at all,” he said, but told the family that it could destroy them “You need to try to find a way to forgive. In the long run, you’ll be blessed by that,” he said. He then imposed the sentence.