Moments ago, Judge Michael Linn denied a motion to delay sentencing for Damien Gilliams and Pamela Parris after their attorneys attempted to delay sentencing over health concerns amid the Delta variant from the COVID-19 virus.
“The Court will not delay the case any further for a ruling on the en banc motion,” Linn said.
“The Court can accommodate any of the witnesses and any spectators by using Zoom. Travel and courtroom capacity issues will be given little weight. The courthouse accommodated the media and the spectators during the trial; it will accommodate them again,” Linn said in the ruling.
Judge Linn also mentioned the concerns for Parris’ health.
“The Court is concerned for Ms. Parris’ health and does not see any use in unreasonably jeopardizing her health in the middle of this new wave of COVID cases. The Court does not see any efficiency in conducting separate sentencing with Mr. Gilliams,” the judge said.
And finally, Judge Linn said all parties deserve closure on the case.
“If this is rescheduled, the Court will not unreasonably set this out. All parties deserve closure on this case,” Linn said in the ruling.
Yesterday, the attorneys filed a motion asking for the sentencing to be delayed over Parris’ alleged health problems and is a “high-risk individual with a compromised immune system” who can’t sit inside a courtroom because it will make her “more vulnerable to infection.”
Several residents have allegedly taken pictures of Parris at bars and other businesses, both indoors and outdoors, without wearing a mask or doing anything to protect herself.
“She can go inside a dark bar and drink, even blow on a pool stick, but she can’t go to court,” one Sebastian resident said.
For now, sentencing is scheduled for Monday, August 23, 2021 at 1:30 pm.
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