FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 5, 2007

Man faces life in prison for burglary, aggravated battery.

State Attorney Steve Meadows announces the conviction, in Jackson County Circuit Court, of Donald Carter Bennett, on charges of Aggravated Battery and Burglary with a Battery or Assault.

The jury deliberated about 35 minutes before finding Bennett, 38, of Grand Ridge, guilty in the December 17, 2006, incident. The jury also found that Bennett possessed a firearm, a .45 caliber automatic, during the crime.

Florida’s 10-20-life law assures that Bennett will be sentenced to at least 10 years in prison. The maximum sentence for these crimes is life. Bennett also faces a number of other felony charges accrued in a few weeks span.

Sentencing is set for June 26, at 1:30.