COCOA, Fla. — A teenager found guilty of attempted manslaughter managed avoided a prison sentence Wednesday.
Jacob Montgomery, 17, was prosecuted as an adult, but he was sentenced to probation as a youthful offender.
As Montgomery’s family left the Brevard County courthouse, they called his sentence “a second chance.”
“My take on this case is this: The behavior demonstrated and the evidence was an immature juvenile act committed by an immature 16-year-old with mental health issues,” said Judge James Earp.
The Cocoa teen was sentenced to five years probation for trying to track down and shoot his girlfriend before fleeing from police in March 2014.
Montgomery had made text threats and a Facebook post asking God to forgive him for the sins he was about to commit.
The defendant’s sister called police before he ever confronted the victim.
During his trial, the victim told the judge that she wasn’t afraid of Montgomery.
As part of his probation, Montgomery was ordered to continue mental health counseling, take any prescribed medication and not to have any firearms.
If the teenager successfully completes the terms of his probation and stays out of trouble, a felony conviction won’t be part of his record.
“Jacob is a great kid, and Judge Earp gave him a second chance at life, and we appreciate that very much,” Montgomery’s father said.
If Montgomery violates his probation, he could face up to 20 years in prison.
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