20-Year-Old Gets Probation After Drug Deals, Assault, Felony Convictions
Reported By Dennis Ferrier
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- A violent, convicted felon walked away from doing a single day in prison. Three months into his probation punishment, he allegedly killed his teenage girlfriend.
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In August, 20-year-old Brandon Smith said he wanted probation after a violent run of drug dealing and assault, resulting in nine different charges that led to felony convictions and an 11-year sentence.
But Judge Monte Watkins set him free, suspending all 11 years and placing him under a strict probation program called Community Corrections.
Just three months into the program, Smith violated his probation by being charged with the death of his girlfriend, 18-year-old Jean Gordon.
Witnesses said they were sitting in an apartment eating pizza when Smith stuck a gun into Gordon's ribs and pulled the trigger.
Two weeks ago, Watkins said he wanted to hear more about the killing before he revoked Smith's probation and sent him to jail for 11 years. At the time, the judge said he would consider sending him to jail for a year or two and then putting him on probation again.
Smith begins an 11-year sentence where he will wait in jail until his murder trial.
Gordon's family had no comment.
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