Man Who Fled Sentence Gets 40 Years

A man who fled while a jury deliberated his sentence after convicting him of assaulting his son has been given 40 years in prison.

U.S. Marshals arrested 41-year-old Terry Hays near Gravette on Oct. 2, more than a week after he bolted from the Washington County Courthouse on Sept. 24.

Jurors convicted Hayes of aggravated assault on a family member, terroristic threatening, felon in possession of a firearm and witness intimidation. Jurors recommended sentences of up to 55 years in prison and $45,000 in fines. In addition to the prison sentence, the judge fined Hayes the $45,000.

Hayes still faces a charge of failure to appear. His prior convictions include sexual abuse, assault and battery, and failure to register as a sex offender.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)