STARKVILLE -- A former Mississippi State University student who admitted to choking a freshman coed last fall in a campus dormitory is set to be sentenced today in Oktibbeha County Circuit Court.
Christopher E. Floyd, 18, of Holly Springs, pleaded guilty Monday to one count of aggravated assault and now faces up to 20 years in prison.
The incident took place Sept. 12, 2008, when an 18-year-old female student was attempting to leave Cresswell Hall on the Mississippi State University campus. The student then encountered Floyd who, for an unknown reason, choked her until she was unconscious, according to court records.
"I thought I would have died when I couldn't breathe anymore and I couldn't do anything about it," the victim wrote in an impact statement. "This situation has made me very conscious of my surroundings and who I speak to since I did not even know him beyond a name, and for this to happen is very scary for me."
The victim, now 19, awoke several seconds after she was released by Floyd and did not require medical attention. Roughly a dozen people witnessed the attack.
Floyd's sentencing is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in the courtroom of Judge Lee Howard.
In other court business, a Starkville man who pleaded guilty Monday to one count of statutory rape was to be sentenced this morning.
Judge Jim Kitchens was set to sentence Lakorian Stewart, 20, today at 9 a.m. Stewart faces a minimum of 20 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections system, Judge Kitchens said Monday.
The charge stems from an incident on May 27, 2008, when Stewart and the then 13-year-old victim ran into each other on an undisclosed street.
Stewart, who had just turned 18 on May 26, 2008, then took the girl to a nearby apartment and they engaged in consensual sex, District Attorney Forest Allgood said. They had known each other for "a few days," Stewart said Monday, though Allgood said the victim told him they had known each other for three months.
Tim Pratt is the Starkville Bureau Reporter for The Commercial Dispatch.
The Dispatch is offering free classified ads in just about any classification to celebrate our redesign. Deadline is Thursday, February 11 at 5:00pm so contact us soon to place an ad. Click here for details
STARE K | 8/7/2009 2:37:00 PMmark as inappropriate I never in my life heare of any one getting 20 yrs. for chocking someone that did not need med attention .I wonder how much time would he had gotten if the person had died. No justie. I can guess what color she is . Just a thought.
Judge Kitchens always sticks it to people. I agree that 20 years is a little extreme.
voice of reason | 8/8/2009 11:17:00 AMmark as inappropriate Excuse me, but if a person chokes another until they LOSE CONSCIOUSNESS, that is called attempted murder. Neither person had any way of knowing that the young lady would awaken uninjured, if at all. If you, Stare K, or one of your family members, were the victim, I would imagine you would want to see the attacker sent to prison. And your comment about color proves that there is still MUCH work to be gone in this community to bring people from BOTH sides together.
Stan | 8/8/2009 10:36:00 PMmark as inappropriate 20 yrs. for stat rape? The guy had just turned 18?
Are they insane?
Court Watch | 8/8/2009 11:04:00 PMmark as inappropriate Mr. Floyd was not sentenced to 20 years. He has not been sentenced yet because Judge Kitchens ordered that he be evaluated by the State Mental Hospital at Whitfield. He could be sentenced up to 20 years in prison and pay up to a fine of $10,000. He did not know the young lady and he just proceded to strangle her for no apparent reason. This was captured on the security camera at Cresswell dorm. His behavior in the days prior to the strangling incident indicates possible mental illness. By the way; his victim is a young African-American female. Mr. Stewart faces a minimum of 20 years in custody as set by the legislature because he was 18 and the girl was 13.
Race Card | 8/10/2009 4:10:00 PMmark as inappropriate Stare K, playing the race card, shame on you. Grow up a little, or get your ignorant self to some learning. This gentlemen in question is a racist, he has been reported talking about his hatred for white people. But that doesn't matter to you does it?
Racist.
Race Card | 8/10/2009 4:14:00 PMmark as inappropriate Stare K, playing the race card, shame on you. Grow up a little, or get your ignorant self to some learning. This gentlemen in question is a racist, he has been reported talking about his hatred for white people. But that doesn't matter to you does it?
Racist.
stare k | 8/10/2009 10:50:00 PMmark as inappropriate You don't want to go there . I never said what race so stop trying to put words in my mouth. I don't live near any of you any way.she could have been from another race other than being white. that is the way lies get started .I wouldn't live in your state if I was paid to do so . so if the show fit wear it.I don't know any thing about any of you all and could care less >I replied to what I seen on the net. 20 years and no med .that is a bit much .
mz floyd | 8/31/2009 8:55:00 PMmark as inappropriate 20 yearz wat nt my baby.. dat dont even sound rite.. love i bae
125 | 10/13/2009 2:39:00 AMmark as inappropriate Look more beautiful on your wedding day wearing gorgeous wedding dresses that are unique and with lasting impression.
At OnlyWeddingDresses.com we provide a free resource of information about bridal dresses and wedding gowns that we hope will help you choose the perfect wedding dress for your special day
