Federal Judge Sandy Mattice, setting the sentence for a third time in a drug case involving Norman Ricks, on Monday went back to his first decision - 100 months.
The government had appealed the initial 100 months, saying it should have been more, and won on appeal. At the second sentencing, Judge Mattice set it at 120 months. Then Ricks appealed and won.
Judge Mattice said, "I have been getting close, but I haven't hit the sweet spot yet."
The new sentencing range was 110 months to 137 months.
Attorney John Brooks urged a variation below the range, saying that Ricks has matured while in prison and has been trying to finish his GED.
Judge Mattice did go below the sentencing range with the 100 months.
Ricks, who is now 30, has served 77 months thus far.
Attorney Brooks noted that after he finishes his federal time, Ricks still owes the state of Tennessee 10 years on a voluntary manslaughter case.
Ricks pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and LaBrandit Williams to facilitation of voluntary manslaughter in the death of Jermaine Southers, who was shot June 16, 2006, at East Lake Courts. Williams received four years. Quanan Hutchinson also pleaded guilty to facilitation to commit second-degree murder in the Southers case. He got a 10-year sentence.
Authorities said Southers was killed in retaliation for the slaying of Adrian Patton. Mike Daniels and Timothy Evans are serving life sentences in that case.
Among those in the audience was the defendant's uncle, County School Board member George Ricks.