A Georgia couple caught on camera beating up a mother and teenage daughter over cold chicken were sentenced on Friday in Camden County.
Nathaniel Smith was sentenced to at least eight years while Latasha Smith was given two years.
While in court, both Latasha and Nathaniel Smith claimed the attack, which happened in Baxley in Appling County, started because a drive-thru window was closed on their arm.
But police say otherwise. Investigators said the suspects attacked business owner Jeanette Norris and her daughter over portion size and the temperature of their food.
The victims say their physical wounds have healed, but the emotional pain will forever live on in their hearts.
“The two of you took away the trust I had of people. Not everybody – but I do look at everything differently now,” Norris said.
READ KAITLYN CHANA'S TWEETS FROM THE COURTROOM:
A #Georgia couple accused of punching a mother and daughter over being served cold chicken will be sentenced this afternoon. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/HEuKGH3BVs
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Nathaniel & Latasha Smith will be sentenced today after entering guilty pleas to charges of aggravated battery and cruelty to children. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/HagJ982rWA
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Here’s a picture of the victims after the unprovoked attack happened. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/fMb94tPvVP
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Soon these suspects will be facing the judge and learning their fate after this heinous attack over food quantity, temperature. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/GmYfNQykc7
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Police say Nathaniel and Latasha Smith attacked business owner Jeanette Norris after the couple ordered two chicken meals. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/qS27jFpA5S
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Very emotional for the victims as the suspects walk into the courtroom in shackles. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/CLHLFkyCZe
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Victim Jeanette Norris is reading a statement about the attack in front of the court. @ActionNewsJax
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
“You could have killed her,” said Jeanette Norris. pic.twitter.com/EXJU85vy6R
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
“You took away my kindness to people. I’m guarded when I meet new people. My daughter’s life has been changed forever,” said Norris. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/NANPxULlqB
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
The teen’s dad is now speaking in front of the court. This father is very emotional on the stand. It’s hard for him to get the words out. @ActionNewsJax
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
The victim’s dad is speaking on the stand and trying to push through his tears. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/ts6bWVGGRX
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
“This is hard, Judge.” Pause. Tears from victim’s dad. His description of the pain he felt is crippling. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/LhwGaIzhWZ
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Dad is describing Jeanette and his 15-year-old daughter’s reaction to the attack. Heartbreak. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/DsXbbrBzHB
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
The victim’s dad is giving the court a play-by-play of the violence demonstrated by this couple. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/52NlRNdOPI
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Mom and daughter are hugging each other in the courtroom. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/yedskzQvtD
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Victim’s dad asked the Judge to get Mr. Smith to look at him straight in the eye. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/YRs0D08rd7
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Victim’s dad is distraught as he talks about Nathaniel Smith violent actions towards his 15-year-old daughter. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/j8NDO88GDW
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Dad is silent. Lots of heavy breathing on the stand. He is shaking. He says he can’t get the images of these suspects out of his head. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/BE6BKP1BV6
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Lots of tissues needed in this courtroom. As for the suspects, they look disengaged in this sentencing. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/Bsm6XyAhcZ
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
The victim’s dad is delivering a direct message to these suspects. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/lFsJLXMsM1
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
“... because of what happened I’m deathly afraid of being around people,” said now 16y/o victim. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/ZfN0grOhxg
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Suspect Latasha Smith is giving a soft apology as she says, “I’m sorry from the bottom of her heart.” @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/ruhsq0Tr3m
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Suspect Latasha Smith is describing her version of what happened on June 22nd. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/q0eNRL1Dqo
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Suspect Smith is painting a very different picture of what happened. Smith claims the owner was calling them every name in the book, but not their real names. Victims are shaking their heads. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/X8WwcSSc4x
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Suspect Smith is claiming the owner slammed her arm in the drive thru window and called her rude names. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/ll3iD9pb16
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Suspect Latasha Smith CLAIMS her husband DIDN’T punch the 15-year-old girl. The prosecutor just asked the SUSPECT, “Have you seen the video?” @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/Z9n5t1Ztta
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
The prosecutor says the suspects’ behavior was inexcusable. @ActionNewsJax
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Latasha Smith is just swirling in her chair as her defense attorney speaks. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/MtL2s9E9lQ
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
Suspect Latasha Smith’s attorney says this attack happened after the owner closed a drive thru window on suspect’s arm. He said this was not about portion size or temperature of food. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/jUflhaQtYU
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
The suspect’s attorney says they’re mentioning their side of the story to explain why their clients acted the way they did. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/LniSVkJvFs
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
The defense attorney says this viral video has probably been SEEN by everybody. But EARLIER in the courtroom, Latasha Smith CLAIMED she has NOT seen the video INSTEAD just “heard about it.” @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/48QlPgZTS7
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
“He is NOT a monster. He wanted me to give you (victim’s family) an apology,” said defense attorney. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/leuOrBgGbz
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
The judge ruled Nathaniel Smith will serve 8 years w/ standard conditions, 100 hrs of community service, no alcohol/drugs/weapons along with NO contact with thes victim. He has to pay $4,000 in restitution and take anger management classes. @ActionNewsJax
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
The judge ruled Latasha Smith will serve 2 years with general terms & probation, 100 hrs of community service, no alcohol/drugs/weapons along with NO contact with the victims. @ActionNewsJax
— Kaitlyn Chana (@KaitlynChana) January 12, 2018
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