A Chatsworth, Ga., man was sentenced Thursday evening to serve three consecutive life sentences for aggravated child molestation, aggravated sexual battery and three counts of child molestation.
David L. Eads, 55, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Jim Wilbanks immediately following a Murray County Jury’s verdict of guilt on those charges late Thursday afternoon.
Eads' trial began on Tuesday following jury selection on Monday. The jury heard from 12 witnesses including five separate victims (one current and four prior) and received 22 exhibits.
The case was presented by Assistant District Attorney Ben Kenemer who was assisted by the lead investigator on the case, Detective Brett Morrison with the Murray County Sheriff’s Office.
Eads was represented by Dalton attorney Jerry Moncus.
Also testifying were witnesses from both Whitfield and Murray County Schools, the Whitfield Department of Family and Children Services, the Green House child advocacy center, and Murray Medical Center.
Eads had a prior conviction for aggravated child molestation from 1988 for which he was sentenced to serve 10 years in prison followed by 15 years on probation.
The jury took approximately 20 minutes to reach its verdict and Judge Wilbanks proceeded directly to sentencing.
Under Georgia Law, a second or subsequent conviction for child molestation may result in a sentence of 10 to 30 years or life at the court’s discretion, District Attorney Bert Poston said.