By Joe Johnson
An Athens man this week received a 20-year sentence after pleading guilty to choking an elderly man and beating his ex-girlfriend during a domestic dispute over two years ago.
Anthony Luvara Barnes, 43, was ordered Monday by Western Judicial Circuit Chief Judge Eric Norris to serve the first four years of the sentence in confinement and the balance on probation, according to the sentencing document filed in Clarke County Superior Court.
The document indicated the prosecutors did not negotiate with Barnes prior to him pleading guilty to aggravated assault, family violence battery, and simple assault. The document indicated that the jusge gave Barnes credit for the nearly three years he already spent confined at the county jaul.
However, the DA’s office on Monday dismissed charges from when Barnes was indicted last year, with the indictment including a second count of aggravated assault and the charge of exploitation and intimidation of an elder person.
“After reviewing the evidence, the state cannot prove the case as indicted. The state will re-accuse the case with more appropriate charges,” the prosecution’s motion to dismiss stated.
According to an Athens-Clarke County police report, Barnes assaulted a 74-year-old man the night of Oct. 30, 2019 when the victim intervened in an altercation between Barnes and an ex-girlfriend.
The suspect’s ex reportedly told police that she was sleeping when Barnes entered her bedroom and attacked her, hitting her about 20 times in the face. He also reportedly brandished and threatened her during the altercation.
The older victim went into the bedroom to check on the commotion when Barnes allegedly hit him in the face and grabbed him by the throat, according to the report, which noted that the victim said he felt dizzy but never lost consciousness.
While attacking the man, Barnes said that he was going to kill him, according to the report.