Judge Mendheim Strays From Normal Sentence Because Man Has Truly Changed

Rickey Stokes

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Posted by: RStokes
rstokes1450@aol.com
334-790-1729
Date: Feb 01 2012 7:32 PM

HOUSTON COUNTY:   Houston – Henry County Circuit Judge Brad Mendheim today was used as a tool that answered prayer. Judge Mendheim also showed a goal of the court system, which is for a person to realize their ways, turn from their ways, accept responsibility, and begin making something of themselves in their life.

A 22 year old young man by the name of Jason Alday appeared before Judge Mendheim to answer the charge of Robbery in the first degree. Standing by his side was his Attorney Ginger Hicks.

Alday was arrested on December 14, 2010 and placed in the Houston County Jail. Alday remained in the jail until February 12, 2011. While sitting in jail he had time to sober up, dry out, and plenty of time on his hands to think about life.

Jason  started attending Panther Creek Baptist Church in Wicksburg after he got out of jail. Jason spent some time talking to the pastor and to his mother in law.

Alday described both as Godly people. The pastor told Alday he had trouble in his younger life and discussed the issues. Alday said, if the pastor could turn his life around, become a pastor and make something out of his, then he could too. The conversations with his mother in law, the discussions about Jesus Christ, Jason Alday said, through Christ he could become a new man.

Jason also met another man that had similar problems. The man named Ashley told Jason he had a wreck that killed a cousin. Then Ashley got into a spiral downfall and turned to meth.  During the spiral downfall, Ashley told Jason he found GOD, and turned his life around.

Jason was able to get someone to give him a chance at a job. He started working hard. He started studying the Bible, being in Church, and working to turn his life around. His wife is expecting a child. Jason said he felt God was giving him a child to take care of, not to abandon. He and his wife were being given a child for a reason; he was being blessed with a family.

Jason worked even harder. He told his wife to stay at home, do what the doctors tell you, and make sure you and the baby in your stomach are okay. Jason got them a home, and furnished the home. He was beaming of what he and his wife had accomplished.

His attorney, Ginger Hicks, said Jason is a remarkable story. That he has done everything and then some in what she has asked him to do.  Ginger said the scripture found in 1 Corinthians 1:31 comes to mind about Jason “Therefore, as it is written: “Let him who boasts boast in the Lord”.

Jason, Ginger, and Jason’s wife (I am ashamed I do not remember her name) said they prayed, prayed and prayed about today. Jason said he spent all od last night praying that GOD would give him the chance to be the man he should be, the father and husband he should be. He just needed another chance in life.

Today, the judgment time came before Judge Mendheim. To answer for the charges of Robbery in the first degree of Dollar General.  At the time of the robbery Jason was on drugs and he robbed his sister to get money for more.

Ginger, Jason’s Attorney, told Judge Mendheim to believe in Jason. That Jason has turned his life around, making something out of his life. Ginger said Jesus gave a chance and asked for the Judge to give Jason a chance.

Judge Mendheim pronounced, five years supervised probation to Jason Alday for Robbery in the first degree.

Jason and his family, along with Ginger came to my office to tell me the story. I met Jason several weeks ago by chance and was impressed with his personality, his smile and excitement about life.

Jason wanted to give GOD the glory. He wanted to tell his story because you can turn your life around. You can make something out of yourself, with the faith in GOD and with the determination to do so.

Jason also has a lot of people’s future riding on his shoulders. Judge Mendheim does not usually give probation for a robbery case. Judge Mendheim has gone against his normal pattern in order to give Jason a chance. Judge Mendheim believes Jason Alday has turned his life around. If he fails, that failure will limit future people’s chance with the Judge to go out on a limb trusting someone else.

So while Jason has a wife and child on the way, a lot of friends, an Attorney that has fought for him, others depend on his success.

But if you had a chance to meet Jason like I did, you would see why the Judge has given him a chance. He is a man that has a future, a man that looks like GOD is in him and his desire is to do right.

Ginger was excited. Excited that she has been a part of a positive experience. Ginger said GOD was present in the courtroom of Judge Brad Mendheim today. And she believes that GOD influenced Judge Mendheim to take a chance on Jason.

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