HAMILTON SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN PRISON  

Dewayne RichardsonBreaking News, Mississippi Delta DA 4th District

Greenville, MS – Prior to a trial that was set to begin on Wednesday, January 20, 2021, Parthenia Hamilton entered a guilty plea to the charge of Manslaughter at the Washington County Convention Center District Attorney W. Dewayne Richardson announced today.

Hamilton was set to go to trial in the July 2017 killing of Charlie Stevenson instead pled guilty in this matter. Hamilton entered an “open” plea in front of Judge Richard Smith and following testimony and arguments, was sentenced to the maximum sentence for this crime to be served in the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

The evidence that would have been presented at trial would have shown that Hamilton killed Stevenson by stabbing him with a kitchen knife following an argument over an air conditioner in his home. Hamilton and the victim were in a dating relationship at the time of the killing.

The trial was to be held in the Convention Center to allow the Courts to remain open and so that justice could continue to be served in Washington County. Potential jurors reported in masks and were socially distanced prior to the defendant entering her plea. “We appreciate that the citizens of Washington County’s willingness to serve even in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, it shows that they are committed to justice in their county even in these challenging times” Richardson said.

This case was investigated by the Greenville Police Department, who after responding to the scene worked valiantly to save Stevenson’s life. The case was prosecuted by John L. Herzog Jr. who said “While no amount of time can replace what the family of Mr. Stevenson lost, we hope that they will receive justice knowing that Ms. Hamilton will be in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.”