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Sob story for naught; accomplice lambasted

A judge lets a 19-year-old have it at his sentencing, despite pleas for leniency, for his part in terrorizing young girls three years ago.

By COLLEEN JENKINS
Published August 26, 2005

NEW PORT RICHEY - Circuit Judge Stanley Mills listened impassively as the defense attorney painted a picture of a troubled young man who deserved a break.

Jonathan Ainsworth had been abused and neglected as a child, defense attorney Keith Hammond said.

Yes, he acknowledged, his client was there when another boy terrorized young girls in Beacon Woods East three years ago, but he didn't really know what his accomplice was up to. And spending his formative years behind bars had made the 19-year-old Ainsworth numb and angry.

Then Mills, figuratively speaking, opened fire.

"If he breaks into my house," the judge said, "I'm not going to worry about his superego or his little id. I'm going to shoot him, right in the thickest part of his body."

For the record, Mills has a concealed weapons permit.

"Yeah, he's had a tough life. So what?" Mills said. "He's got to do something about it.

"What Mr. Ainsworth participated in here is outrageous. Stupidity is something I can't cure. I've tried."

Authorities said Ainsworth and his best friend, James Anthony Jacobs, in January 2002 brazenly slipped inside their victims' homes through unlocked windows and back doors. Each girl awoke to a hand over her mouth. Three were punched repeatedly in the head, and a 10-year-old suffered a broken skull. The boys were 16.

But Hammond said DNA and physical evidence pointed to Jacobs, who pleaded no contest to the crimes and was sentenced as an adult to 25 years in prison. Ainsworth, his attorney said, was draining neighborhood air conditioners and huffing Freon as his buddy committed the more serious crimes.

Before Ainsworth's sentencing Thursday, Mills knew a plea agreement reached between prosecutors and the defense earlier this year would treat the Hudson resident as a youthful offender, meaning he could be put away for no more than six years.

And, at the hearing, Hammond suggested that rather than any more jail time, his client be placed immediately into a residential, rehabilitation program, so Ainsworth could be treated for substance abuse and the effects of his unfortunate childhood.

But the criminal justice system, Mills said, is not a social services agency.

"Little girls in their rooms should be dreaming of weddings and rock stars," he said. "Not having a nightmare come in their room in the middle of the night. The kid gloves have simply got to come off here for Mr. Ainsworth."

As the back and forth progressed, and Mills continued his verbal tongue-lashing of Ainsworth, Hammond reminded the judge of the plea agreement.

"He gets the youthful offender cap," Hammond noted.

Ultimately, Mills sentenced Ainsworth to 41/2 years in a prison for young offenders, followed by 18 months of community control. During that time, Ainsworth will have to reside at a residential treatment program.

He'll get credit for the 31/2 years he has already served, meaning he'll spend only 10 or 11 more months in prison before going into treatment.

Mills pointed out that Ainsworth had "been anything but a model prisoner" at the county jail.

The young man was lucky Mills wasn't the corrections officer he had "decorated" with urine and feces.

"He'd be eating it," the judge said. "I'd be fired, and he'd be hurt. He'd better get his act together quickly."

Mills looked at the skinny, buzzed-hair Ainsworth, who was sitting in the jury box with other inmates.

"Do you have any questions about what I'll do if I see your worthless hide in here again?" he asked.

"No, sir," Ainsworth mumbled, his jaw clenched.

When the young inmate was led out of the courtroom a few minutes later, he glared back at the judge. Mills didn't look up from his paperwork.

Outside the courtroom, Hammond wasn't surprised by the judge's fury. At a hearing a couple of years ago, Circuit Judge Daniel Diskey grew angry looking at Jacobs' criminal file and said he would cap his sentence only at life.

"Every judge has felt the exact same way Mills has," Hammond said. If his client screws up again, the attorney said, "No one can help him."

Times researcher Carolyn Edds contributed to this story. Colleen Jenkins covers courts in west Pasco County. She can be reached at 727 869-6236 or cjenkins@sptimes.com

[Last modified August 26, 2005, 01:37:18]