The last time Alfred McDonald was in court he sat in the jury box reading the Bible.
Thursday morning was no different. McDonald entered the courtroom with the Bible in his hand and loved ones in the room.
On Dec. 29, 2011, Kosciusko County Circuit Court Judge Rex Reed took McDonald’s plea agreement under advisement. The plea proposed that McDonald, 46, plead guilty to dealing in methamphetamine in an amount less than 3 grams, a Class B felony, and in return counts two and three for possession of methamphetamine, Class D felonies, and possession of two or more chemical reagents or precursors with intent to manufacture, a Class D felony, would be dismissed.
Reed accepted the plea and sentenced McDonald to six years in the Indiana Department of Corrections, with the final two years suspended. He was given credit for 150 days served in jail and ordered to pay a $200 drug interdiction fee, $100 fine and court costs.
McDonald’s lawyer, Thomas W. Earhart, pleaded that McDonald’s sentence be moved to the Kosciusko County Jail.
“Taking into consideration the feelings he has submitted, I feel that there is some hope for Mr. McDonald,” Earhart said. “I feel that he is providing a service to the other inmates in the jail due to his ministering to the other inmates and counseling them. I request that his sentence be in the KCJ so that he can continue serving the inmates of the jail.”
McDonald requested to address the court and Reed granted the request.
“I am guilty and I will stand here for my sentencing. Before I am sentenced, I would like the people and the council and my loved ones to forgive me, because I was sick and I had the evil nature of man,” McDonald said. “Coming here was a blessing. I thought it was the worst thing that could happen to my world cause I lived in the world. Finding Christ, I live in him and the Lord has allowed me to see myself in the nature of the spirit. I can’t go back and change anything I have done, through that I receive knowledge and wisdom. I receive life and in that I want to share what is good. I don’t want to prove anything to any of you. I want to show you as a family member that there can be changes made. They must be made within and true. The only way to do that is through Christ. I don’t want to miss one moment of helping someone serving as a purpose. Do have mercy on me for my past. I am guilty for many more than what is on these pages.”
Reed informed Earhart and McDonald that he would follow the recommendation of the probation department. “I can’t ignore your past, Mr. McDonald. Those things are still there,” Reed said. “I also recognize that you are sincere, not a thing in my being that says that you are not sincere. I don’t doubt that you have a mission, but one of the best authors did his best work in jail. Paul had the chance to leave but he decided to stay there.”
Reed then sentenced McDonald to six years in the Indiana Department of Corrections, with the final two years suspended. He was given credit for 150 days served in jail and ordered to pay a $200 drug interdiction fee, $100 fine and court costs.
