An Augusta man who still faces murder charges was convicted of aggravated assault and sentenced to 20 years in prison Tuesday evening.
Joshua Stokes, 32, pleaded not guilty in Richmond County Superior Court to the charges filed in two cases. Tuesday, Dec. 13, at the conclusion of a two-day trial, Stokes was convicted of aggravated assault in the July 12, 2020 stabbing of Franklin Prather.
Because of Stokes’ prior criminal history, he will have to serve the sentence imposed Tuesday by Chief Judge Daniel J. Craig without the possibility of parole.
Stokes still faces trial on murder charges in the May 5, 2020 fatal stabbing on 62-year-old James Bohannon. The victim’s body was found on the 500 block of Sibley Street in the Old Town section of the city.
Stokes has prior felony convictions in 2010 for two counts of burglary in Chatham County, in 2013 for criminal attempt to commit burglary in Chatham County, and in 2013 for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in Richmond County.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.Â
