Chattanooga Man Sentenced To 4 Years In Prison For Shooting Former Girlfriend In The Face

  • Wednesday, April 27, 2016
  • Jessica Kramer

Adarius Garth was sentenced on Wednesday to four years in prison for shooting his former girlfriend in the face.

The shooting occurred on March 17, 2014.

Taylor Walker, an investigator in the homicide unit with the Chattanooga Police Department, said there was a “large pool of blood on the far side of the kitchen” when he arrived at 3704 West Ave., the home of victim Tanika Caldwell. He said he conducted a walk through of the crime scene and that it looked as if the residents had been about to prepare dinner.

When Investigator Walker later visited Ms. Caldwell at the hospital, he said that she had a gunshot entrance wound to the right side of her face and that there was “stippling around the area,” indicating a close range shot.

Investigator Walker said he was able to determine that the victim's two children were present during the shooting. When he interviewed Ms.Caldwell again, he said that she “could barely speak due to her injuries.”

At the time of the shooting, Ms. Caldwell was nine weeks pregnant with Garth's child.

Investigator Walker said that Garth, who made the 911 call after the shooting, indicated that Ms. Caldwell was injured in a drive-by shooting. Investigator Walker said that in a later interview with Garth, he then said that Ms. Caldwell had found a gun while taking out the trash and, after she brought it inside, the gun went off accidentally.

Kenneth Fairchild of Hamilton County Community Corrections discussed the instillation of a GPS monitor that Garth was ordered to wear as part of his bond.

He said Garth was ordered to charge the GPS monitor for two hours a day and pay equipment fees. He said Garth “pretty much repeatedly” had issues paying his fees and that the GPS monitor went into a battery critical state several times.

Defense Attorney Kevin Loper said there was no way to know for sure that the GPS monitor was not having trouble keeping charge. He compared the battery in the GPS monitor to cell phone batteries, which after time often deteriorate and are unable to hold their full charge.

“It's going critical,” Attorney Loper said. “It's not dying. It's going critical and (Garth's) plugging it up.”

Garth's employer said that Garth is a good worker, a quick learner, and enjoyable to be around.

David Wiley, a missions minister with Brainerd Baptist Church, said he met Garth a few years ago in the Hamilton County Jail.  He said that Garth was “quiet initially, but then he had a time in his life where he started becoming more open, more friendly, smiling a lot more.” Mr. Wiley said they stayed in contact after Garth left jail and that the change in him “has been unique.”

“You can tell something happened in his life,” said the witness.

Garth's mother and pregnant girlfriend also testified to his character.

During the allocution, Garth apologized to the court and said that he had learned from his previous mistakes.

“I admit I have messed up in past days, but other than that I want to continue to be a strong family man for my community,” he said. “I have plans I have set, and god has shined his light on me and completely changed me.”

Judge Tom Greenholtz was surprised that Garth did not apologize to Ms. Caldwell, even though she was not present.

Attorney Loper asked for an alternative sentencing of “four years probation starting now” because that would be the best thing for Garth and the people in the community he is providing for.

While Judge Greenholtz acknowledged that “sentencing by far is the most difficult part of the job,” he also said that the criminal conduct in Garth's case was “extremely serious.”

“The court sees very little evidence that you are actually remorseful for the harm and the damage that you caused to Ms. Caldwell,” he said.
Latest Headlines
Breaking News
Latest Hamilton County Arrest Report
  • 3/29/2024

Here is the latest Hamilton County arrest report: ASBERY, DAVID BENJAMIN 1920 GUNBARREL APT 404 CHATTANOOGA, 37421 Age at Arrest: 48 years old Arresting Agency: Chattanooga PD VANDALISM/MALICIOUS ... more

New Hope Fire Department Disputes TWRA Report On Kayaker Rescues
  • 3/28/2024

New Hope Fire Department Corey Comstock disputed a report by the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency about the rescue of 33 kayakers from extremely high winds near Nickajack Cave on Monday. ... more

Woman Dies After Being Seriously Injured In House Fire Thursday Afternoon
Woman Dies After Being Seriously Injured In House Fire Thursday Afternoon
  • 3/28/2024

A woman died after sustaining life-threatening injuries in a house fire on North Moore Road Thursday afternoon and was rescued by Chattanooga firefighters. Hamilton County 911 received a call ... more