Indicted Drug Dealer Facing Life in Prison Testifies in His Own Defense

SAN ANGELO, TX -- A 22-year-old San Angelo man indicted on three felony counts of drug possession and delivery and one count of assault of a public servant took the stand in his own defense Thursday in District Court.  

Jadariun Kentral McCarthy told District Judge Jay Weatherby, “I’d get a job and take care of my kids If I got probation.”  McCarthy was the last witness to take the stand Thursday. The trial began with McCarthy pleading guilty to first degree felony manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance, crack or rock cocaine, manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance methamphetamine, and manufacture and delivery of a controlled substance ecstasy.  He also pleaded guilty to one count of third degree felony assault of a public servant.

The drug charges are punishable by five to 99 years or life in prison and a fine of up to $10,000 while the third degree felony assault charge is punishable by two to ten years in prison and a $10,000 fine.  Because McCarthy hasn’t been convicted of a felony previously, he is eligible for deferred adjudication which means he could be placed on probation for a period of time and if he successfully completes the probation his sentence would be dropped.  

McCarthy, through his defense attorney Fred Brigman III, waived his right to a jury trial and pleaded guilty to the four felony charges without a plea deal from first Assistant District Attorney Richard Villarreal.  Judge Weatherby heard all the evidence and testimony Thursday and will sentence McCarthy at a future date. The Judge had other court proceedings Thursday afternoon and the court has a full docket next week. McCarthy has been in the Tom Green County jail since his arrest on June 10, 2017. 

Villarreal called five witnesses to the stand and introduced dozens of pictures into evidence.  Law enforcement officers testified that they responded to a domestic disturbance call at the Neuva Vista Apartments on N. Lillie St. on June 9, 2017.  When they arrived they stopped a silver car. McCarthy was the driver and sole occupant. Officers testified they smelled the strong odor of marijuana so they got McCarthy out of the car.  When the officer tried to handcuff him, McCarthy wrestled away and ran.

San Angelo Police officer Daniel Williams testified that McCarthy broke free from him and in the process broke his finger.  Williams said doctors told him his finger was “broken, dislocated and shattered.” Williams said he was on light duty for about three months and doctors had to put a pin in his finger.  He testified his finger will never be the same.

SAPD officer Tony Lopez testified that when they searched the vehicle, they found 12.3 grams of methamphetamine worth $80 dollars a gram or $983 on the street in San Angelo.  He also found 40 grams of crack or rock cocaine which is about 400 individual doses worth $8,000, and 80 doses of ecstasy in pill form valued at $15 per pill or $1,200 total. Lopez also said he found a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia including a digital scale for measuring illegal drugs.

Villarreal then rested the state’s case and defense attorney Brigman called the first of three witnesses.  

The first defense witness was Constance Guzman.  She testified that she is McCarthy’s girlfriend and has two children with him.  She said she called police on two occasions because McCarthy head butted her and threw a bottle at her that struck her one-year-old child in the head.  

Next on the stand was McCarthy’s mother, Veletha Turner.  She testified that McCarthy was a sweet child, a good young man and never got into serious trouble.  

Brigman then put McCarthy on the stand.  Under cross examination, McCarthy said he had been written up four times while he was in the Tom Green County jail and that a jailer who said McCarthy threatened him was lying.  

In closing arguments, Brigman told Judge Weatherby that Jadariun McCarthy was not a drug dealer but had admitted to having the drugs in his possession and that he would follow the rules of probation.  

Prosecuting Attorney Villarreal told the judge the trial was not about McCarthy, it was about the safety of the public and his family members and police officers who would have to deal with him again if he got into trouble.  

Judge Weatherby recessed the trial to study the post sentencing interview and the evidence.  Weatherby will sentence McCarty at a later date.