An Augusta man who beat and choked his wife then shot at her as she attempted to flee was sentenced to 10 years in prison Monday, Dec. 5.
Timothy Greenlaw III, 35, had been set to stand trial in Columbia County Superior Court this week when he opted to plead guilty to charges of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Although Greenlaw’s wife was uncooperative, a neighbor who also had a gun pointed at her was willing to testify for the prosecution Monday and was brought from Texas to do so. Judge J. Wade Padgett ordered Greenlaw to pay $750 to the district attorney’s office in compensation for the expense in bringing the witness to Georgia to testify.
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The violent episode occurred March 4, 2020, in Columbia County. Assistant District Attorney Amber Brantley told the judge that Greenlaw beat and strangled his wife, and as she tried to flee in her vehicle, he fired multiple gunshots at her. There were bullet holes in the vehicle and broken glass to substantiate the shooting allegation, Brantley said.
Greenlaw had no prior felony convictions, but he has a pending drug case in Richmond County Superior Court and a misdemeanor charge of obstruction in Richmond County State Court.
Padgett imposed the 10-year prison term to be followed by 15 years on probation. He declined to sentence Greenlaw under the First Offender Act.
