A woman whose attack on a romantic rival was captured on video that went viral pleaded guilty Wednesday to a reduced charge for a five-year prison term.
Brittany Kennedy, 26, pleaded guilty in Richmond County Superior Court to kidnapping and criminal damage to property, and the misdemeanor offenses of battery and cruelty to children.
Judge Jesse Stone accepted the negotiated sentence of five years in prison followed by 10 years on probation. District Attorney Jared Williams reduced the kidnapping charge so that the minimum sentence wouldn’t be 25 years in prison.
The victim in the May 17, 2021, attack at Little Caesar’s spoke at the sentencing hearing Wednesday, Oct. 26, to tell the judge that while she and her 4-year-old daughter were scarred by the attack, she approved of the plea negotiation. She said she hoped Kennedy used the time in prison to think about how important her children are.
Williams said the property damage charge stems from an incident April 27, 2021, when Kennedy went to the victim’s house and used a brick to break the windows of the victim’s vehicle.
Both incidents occurred after Kennedy learned the father of her child was involved with the victim, Williams said. In the attack at Little Caesar’s, Kennedy beat and kicked the victim then dragged her outside by her hair. The victim’s child witnessed the attack.
Conditions of Kennedy’s 10-year probation sentence includes mental health evaluation with any recommended treatment, and classes on conflict resolution, anger management and parenting. She is prohibited from contacting the victim or her family and from possessing a weapon.
Sandy Hodson is a staff reporter covering courts for The Augusta Press. Reach her at sandy@theaugustapress.com.
