State v. New

Justice MOORE:

Appellant John New was convicted of turn counts of hostage-taking and one count of unlawfully carrying a weapon while an inmate. He was sentenced consecutively to two life sentences without parole and ten years. We affirm.

FACTS

The charges stemmed from a hostage situation at Lee Correctional Institute which occurred on September 8, 1999. Employees Janie Mathis and Jane Gardner were held in an administrative office after appellant and another inmate, Wesley Floyd, burst in on them. Appellant put a knife to Ms. Mathis’s throat and threatened to harm her unless the building was…