3 years ago
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He goes from putting people behind bars to going there himself. The sentence finally came down for the former Lonoke Police Chief and his wife around 7:00 Tuesday evening. Jay and Kelly Campbell did not touch each other; they did not talk to each other; they both sat there looking very stern and concerned.
The jury sentenced Jay to ten to forty years in prison. He could get out in ten years for good behavior. His wife, Kelly, was sentenced to least three years, eight months up to twenty years.
Kelly broke into tears a couple of times and glanced over at her husband when the sentences were being read.
Tuesday afternoon the jury convicted Jay on 23 counts including the biggest one-- running a criminal enterprise. They convicted Kelly Campbell of 26 charges, but not of being a part of her husband's scheme.
For the first time throughout this seven week trial, Jay Campbell spoke. "When they came back with the verdict they did, the sentence didn't surprise me. You prepare yourself for the worst after the verdict was read. I?m shocked about the verdict itself, but I won't give up fighting. I?ve got a beautiful family to fight for and I?ll do it until my last breath."
Kelly Campbell says, "Today [Tuesday] I was ready for whatever and I got whatever. I'm ready for the next step. It's either begin again or go through the appeal process, but I was relieved. The not knowing for a year; I'm not even familiar with the court process. I have to ask at the end of the day, 'Was it a good day or a bad day?'"
Both say they will file appeals. Their attorneys hope to do that next week.
The Lonoke County Prosecutor asked the judge to have Jay sent straight to prison Tuesday night. The judge denied that. The pair remains free on their current bond until formal sentencing on Tuesday, April 24th.
Trials for two Lonoke bail bondsmen will start now that this is over. We don't yet have a specific date. Bobby Cox and Larry Norwood are also accused of being a part of the former chief's crime ring.
