Christian Circuit Judge John Atkins says he had never granted probation to a convicted drug dealer until 31-year old Nycoreal Mays recently convinced him he’s turned his life around.
Mays was indicted by a Christian County Grand Jury in September after police searched his Oak Grove home in July and located 41 grams of synthetic marijuana, 4 grams of cocaine and several items of drug paraphernalia.
Mays acknowledged Wednesday morning that he had wasted many years of his life in crime and that he had encountered Judge Atkins in court too often. Judge Atkins said he had reviewed Mays’ pre-sentence investigation report and learned he is now working at a BMW manufacturing plant in South Carolina.
After hearing from Mays and seeing the report on his progress, Judge Atkins granted probation to a convicted drug dealer for what he says was the first time.
The judge told Mays he’s confident he can remain on the correct path.
There was an audible positive reaction from the crowd in the courtroom when Mays’ five-year sentence was probated and a laugh when Judge Atkins said it didn’t hurt Mays’ case that his job has taken him far from Christian County two states away.
The judge warned Mays it won’t be pretty if he ever returns to his courtroom for anything other than jury duty.