BENTONVILLE -- Farris Merritt thanked the jury Wednesday after he was sentenced to 12 years in prison for cutting a man with a utility knife.
Merritt, 52, of Eatonton, Ga., was found guilty of second-degree battery and aggravated assault. He faced up to six years in prison on each felony count.
The jury found Merritt didn't act in self defense when he attacked and cut Jeff Hatley.
Merritt hugged family members before the jury returned to the courtroom with the verdicts.
Circuit Judge Robin Green gave Merritt an opportunity to speak before she sentenced him.
"Thank you for your time," Merritt said to the jury. "Thank you."
Green followed the jury's recommendation and sentenced Merritt to 12 years in the Arkansas Department of Correction. He must serve at least two years before he will be eligible for parole.
"I find this was a violent and unprovoked attack on Mr. Hatley," Green said.
Hatley said he went to Merritt's Centerton home to pick up his son to take him to dinner Oct. 3, 2013. At the time, Merritt was married to Hatley's former wife.
Hatley told jurors he called twice before arriving. He believed Merritt hung up the phone twice when he called to speak to his son. Hatley said he contacted his former wife, who told him their son was at the house and he could pick him up.
Hatley arrived and rang the door bell three times before Merritt opened the door. Hatley said his hands were in his pockets when Merritt opened the door and attacked him.
Hatley told jurors he didn't realize he had been cut during the initial attack.
Hatley was able to overpower Merritt and take him to the ground. Merritt dropped the knife and fled inside the house, Hatley said.
Merritt, testifying on his behalf, described Hatley as the aggressor. Merritt claimed Hatley grabbed him first and he defended himself. When questioned by his attorney, Patrick Lewis, Merritt said he feared Hatley.
Merritt claimed Hatley was upset after he thought Merritt had hung the phone up on him. Merritt claimed Hatley cursed at him. Hatley earlier denied using profanity.
Neither man realized something was wrong with Merritt's telephone.
Merritt said he has had strokes in the past and it takes him a few minutes gather his thoughts, so he didn't call police even though he said he feared Hatley.
"It was either fight or flight," Merritt said while being cross examined by Sam Martin, deputy prosecutor.
Merritt, who is an attorney, told jurors Hatley committed terroristic threatening. Merritt said he was innocent. At trial it was referenced Merritt "wanted his day in court."
Hatley told jurors during sentencing the attack left him with a scar on his face. But Hatley said he was more concerned about the impact on his son, who witnessed the attack.
"We are thankful for the jury's consideration of all the facts and evidence," Martin said. "It was not an easy set of facts to listen to. The photographs of the victim's wounds were graphic and depicted a gruesome act. This was a vicious attack that resulted in serious injuries to the victim. We feel this was a just verdict and hope that it brings some form of closure for the victim and his family."
NW News on 04/02/2015