A Waycross man charged with Cruelty to Children and Aggravated Assault was convicted Wednesday, February 1 in Ware County Superior Court with Judge Jeffrey Kight presiding over the proceedings.
Roger Smith Jr., 34, was found guilty of Cruelty to Children in the first degree and Aggravated Assault in connection with an attack on a 14-year-old last summer, said Waycross Judicial Circuit District Attorney Marilyn Bennett.
“State’s evidence showed Smith got in an altercation at the victim’s residence when he attempted to take a cell phone from the child’s hands,” said Bennett. “Smith then proceeded to cover the child’s mouth with one hand while gripping the child’s throat with the other. Smith also was captured punching the child’s face several times by an in-home security camera.”
Assistant District Attorney Robert Schollmeyer was in charge of the prosecution of the case.
Bennett said Smith represented himself at the hearing.
After the verdict, Smith requested the court to appoint an attorney to represent him for the sentencing hearing, said Bennett.
Sentencing is scheduled to take place Monday, February 13.
“I would like to thank the jurors for their service this week, and the Waycross Police Department for their work investigating this case,” Bennett said.
