By: Lydia Crawley
The Parsons Advocate
A Plea Agreement has been accepted by Kandice Sponaugle. Sponaugle appeared before Judge Courrier in District Court accompanied by her attorney Morris Davis. Tucker County Prosecuting Attorney Savannah Hull Wilkins represented the State in the matter.
Wilkins had sent the defense a plea agreement. In the agreement, Sponaugle would plead guilty to the following misdemeanor charges: three counts of possession of a controlled substance (methamphetamine) and one charge of fraudulent schemes (check written on a closed account). The agreement did not outline a recommended sentence which meant it would be up to Judge Courrier’s discretion. “It was silent as to what her sentence was,” Wilkins said.
Sponaugle was sworn in to enter her guilty plea. Judge Courrier advised her of her rights and outlined the differences between pleading guilty to the agreement and her rights should she go to trial. When asked if she wished to enter a guilty plea to the agreement, Sponaugle nodded as well as gave verbal confirmation to the agreement. Sponaugle also indicated to the court that she fully understood the evidence of the case and the charges, as well as indicating that she wished to proceed with her plea.
Attorney Davis addressed the court that his client has made great strides in turning her life around, as well as outlined his client’s cooperation with court requests. Wilkins acknowledged Sponaugle’s cooperation with the court. “She’s completed what’s asked of her,” Wilkins said.
Davis said that the court has a history with his client, but asserted that Sponaugle has turned her life around. “I know the court has a long history with Ms. Sponaugle,” Davis said. “But she has turned it around 180 degrees.”
Judge Courrier said he was pleased to hear that Sponaugle was doing well. “I’m certainly glad things are going well for Miss Sponaugle,” Judge Courrier said.
Both the defense and prosecution agreed and recommended that Sponaugle be sentenced to time served in the case. Judge Courrier sentenced Sponaugle to credit for time served, assessment of court cost, as well as no further suspension or punishment. “I will go with the recommendation,” Judge Courrier said.
The plea agreement effectively ended the case that day. Sponaugle’s case has been in the courts since 2020.