A judge sentenced an Augusta man to 10 years in prison Thursday for firing a gun last year during a family cookout and threatening to kill everyone present, then eight days later shooting a man outside a nightclub.
Lemar R. Washington, 45, pleaded guilty in Richmond County Superior Court to all charges listed in two separate indictments. In the April 16, 2021 incident, Washington threatened to kill his family members during a cookout, said Assistant District Attorney Jarryd Brown.
On April 24, 2021, after being kicked out of the Blue Top Lounge, Washington fired at a man, wounding him three times. He also shot a vehicle near the victim. Brown said Thursday that an employee of the club told investigators Washington was kicked out of the club because of his habit of getting drunk, pulling out a gun and threatening to kill everyone.
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Washington had convictions for battery in 1998, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2007, for theft in 2008, and for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon in 2013, Brown said.
The plea agreement capped any potential prison sentence at 10 years. Defense attorney Zachary Goolsby asked the judge to consider a sentence with less time behind bars. In the 16 months Washington has spent in jail since his arrest he has done a lot of soul searching and realizes he needs help for controlling his anger and to stop drinking, Goolsby said.
Washington was working two jobs before his arrest.
Chief Judge Daniel J. Craig sentenced Washington to 10 years in prison followed by 20 years on probation.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.
