man gets life in prison for spitting

[Dave Farber <dave () farber net>]

Man gets life in prison for spitting


OKLAHOMA CITY (Reuters) --An Oklahoma man arrested on suspicion of beating
his wife faced year in prison and a fine. But when he spit in an arresting
officer's face, he got a life sentence instead, officials said Wednesday.

John Carl Marquez, 36, was convicted of "placing bodily fluid upon a
government employee," a felony that can carry a life sentence because of the
possibility of transmitting a potentially deadly disease.

State judge April Sellers White sentenced Marquez this week even though
Marquez and the officer tested negative for any communicable disease.

Marquez also was convicted of assaulting a police officer, and a jury
recommended the maximum sentence because he had previous convictions.

Marquez, arrested several months ago, could have received one year in prison
and a $3,000 fine for wife beating, according to the Creek County court
clerk's office.

His lawyers said they plan to appeal.
http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/Southwest/07/02/crime.spit.reut/index.html

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