One Judge Reverses Another in Area Murder Case

Updated: Wed 3:40 PM, Jul 21, 2004

A Marianna judge sentenced 21-year-old Nancy Rose Ann Mears to 17-and-a-half years in prison.

Mears stabbed 30-year-old Hollis Wayne Smith last October. Mears' family was upset because Smith was dating Mears' 18-year-old sister.

In March she reached a plea bargain agreement with the state, pleading guilty to second degree murder in exchange for the 17-and-a-half-year prison sentence.

But Judge Richard Albritton rejected the deal saying Mears should serve more time. He ordered her to stand trial.

Last week Judge William Wright reversed Judge Albritton's ruling, and accepted the original plea agreement. This week he sentenced her to the 17-and-a-half-year term.

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