Ashley Rose Curry
In July, a jury found Curry guilty of the charges which stem from a February 3, 2015 incident in the parking lot of the Columbia Plaza in Columbia, in which Curry shot Jamie Roland. Curry alleges that Roland, her sister Crystal Manfred, and Alicia McGowin charged at her "like a pack of wild animals." The diminutive Curry claims that she felt "outnumbered" and overpowered" by the larger women and said the shooting was an act of self-defense.
Assistant District Attorney Christopher Larsen said the shooting was racially motivated and justifies filing the charge of ethnic intimidation, a misdemeanor. Curry is white, and the other women are black.
"I'd have shot her if she was white," Curry declared at Tuesday's sentencing hearing. "Race had nothing to do with this."
Spahn told Curry that she "demonstrated zero remorse" for her actions. Larsen said she showed "not one expression of remorse." Curry told Spahn, "Your honor, only guilty people show remorse. I'm not guilty."
Curry's defense attorney, Samuel Stretton, asked for leniency in sentencing, citing her lack of a prior record and history of abuse by her ex-husband. He said she has been a prisoner in her own house out of fear. Curry began to cry when talking about the severe abuse she has suffered at the hands of her ex-husband. She also said she never thought in a million years that she'd be in prison.
Spahn told Curry that she "demonstrated zero remorse" for her actions. Larsen said she showed "not one expression of remorse." Curry told Spahn, "Your honor, only guilty people show remorse. I'm not guilty."
Curry's defense attorney, Samuel Stretton, asked for leniency in sentencing, citing her lack of a prior record and history of abuse by her ex-husband. He said she has been a prisoner in her own house out of fear. Curry began to cry when talking about the severe abuse she has suffered at the hands of her ex-husband. She also said she never thought in a million years that she'd be in prison.
"I now throw Miss Curry on the mercy of the court," Stretton said in conclusion.
Roland was not present to make a victim's impact statement.
On September 8, Curry filed for an emergency motion for a new trial based on after-discovered evidence, alleging the prosecution withheld evidence from the defense - a potential Brady Rule violation. A hearing was held on October 5, but Spahn denied the motion on October 6.
Spahn also denied the use of "stand your ground" and reportedly disallowed certain evidence from the scene.
This screenshot from a video shot by Columbia Spy staff on February 3, 2015 in the Columbia Plaza shows the immediate aftermath of the shooting. Ashley Curry is standing far left and Jamie Roland is lying next to the rear wheel of the vehicle.
13 comments:
While not wanting to make an opinion of this specific case as I do not know all of the facts I have to wonder why the judge thinks a person should show remorse if a shooting is justified. Note to Judge: If someone put me in imminent threat of death or serious bodily injury and I shoot them, trust me, I will have no remorse, rather, I will show joy in knowing I protected myself from the threat.
I was in court for this trial and I was close to the case due to testifying. I heard several statements from officials in July and again in October. One thing that people here need to know is that one attorney told us that Columbia causes all kinds of trouble for the county court system. He even said they would like to "nuke" it. It was totally clear that the people of Columbia are still being looked down upon by the rest of the county. Some of it is due to people making Columbia their new address, but not making it their home. Thanks to the former borough officials for allowing landlords to take over this town. They opened doors that can never be closed. There needs to be a tax incentive for anyone purchasing an apartment building that will turn it back to a single family dwelling. Some large beautiful homes have been split into two, three, and four units. Reverse this trend.
Nothing but true. I guess the court officials do not have problems with the shootings in Lancaster or the number of crimes committed in other parts of the county. On the local area, our code officials must get tough. Too many problems are being swept under the rug. Council must create ordinances to give tax breaks for people who fix their properties up and either remain single family dwellings or as mentioned convert from multi dwelling to single. It would take time to do it,but citizen input would be needed and listened to.
Actually, that's exactly what I asked, Lancaster City has shootings and stabbings constantly. The answer I got was they have good cops, really that's what he said. I was not going to include that, but since it was brought up...
Keep telling the truth SHARON.
LOVE YOU
I have repeatedly heard from outside of Columbia that the CBPD is no good. Comments from "incompetent" to "Micky Mouse" to describe our police.
If they have such good cops, why all the crime. How would they have handled the July sniper incident? Chances are. they would still be on the loose.Typical Columbia hatred shone by county officials. Vote them out. Columbia lost a true friend in Jim Huber, former commissioner.
Thanks, just telling what was told to a group of us by an attorney on Tuesday of this week.
Our force may not be the best, but it seems like major crimes are solved. On the average, they have a good relationship with the residents and that helps in solving crimes. Maybe some of the other departments in the area are jealous. To Chief Brommer and force, keep up the good work.
It's a shame people think other police depts are this and that. Cripes they ought to be happy to have a police dept. The police like others are only as good as the commander. Shame on others for sticking their noses up in the air.
A few Apples don't Spoil the Whole Bunch.
Our Department has Good Apples!
I agree, I'm just letting the residents of Columbia know what is being said about them. It's not just some criminal on the street saying it, it's coming from elected officials as told by an attorney.
The Columbia police depend on the information of its residents rather than doing any real police work. See it over and over again.
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