An Augusta woman who hit another woman with her car after the two exchanged words was sentenced to prison Monday, July 11.
Najya McCallum, 33, pleaded guilty in Richmond County Superior Court to aggravated assault, and entered an Alford plea — a plea in which the accused doesn’t admit guilt but acknowledges evidence could lead to a conviction — to terroristic threats instead of standing trial this week.
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McCallum and the victim didn’t know each other but on Feb. 6, 2020, the two got into an argument at a laundromat and McCallum threatened to kill the victim, said Assistant District Attorney Stetson Cromer. Right after sheriff deputies arrived at the scene, McCallum hit the victim in the face. She was only charged with disorderly conduct.
On May 19, 2020, the two women crossed paths at a gas station on Windsor Spring Road and exchanged words again. The argument continued into the parking lot where security cameras captured the victim standing in the parking lot and being struct by McCallum’s vehicle. The victim, who was thrown onto the hood of the vehicle, suffered several injuries and needed extensive medical treatment, Cromer said.
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The victim asked the judge to impose the maximum sentence Monday.
“Richmond County failed me the first time,” she said.
If McCallum had been charged with assault and punished after the first encounter maybe she wouldn’t have tried to run her down, the victim said.
McCallum was trying to walk away from the argument, and she knew the victim had a weapon, defense attorney Kara Stangl said. She called 911 immediately afterward and cooperated with the investigation. McCallum had no prior felony conviction. She has also been solely responsible for taking care of an ill grandmother.
Judge Ashley Wright sentenced McCallum to 10 years in prison followed by five years on probation.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.
