Life Sentence in Hart County, 90 Days in Oglethorpe For Attempted Murder: Two Cases Show Stark Sentencing Contrast

NORTHEAST GEORGIA — Two recent cases in the Northern Judicial Circuit have resulted in significantly different sentences, underscoring the discretion judges have in criminal proceedings, according to District Attorney Parks White.

In Hart County, a 34-year-old woman was sentenced by Judge Chris NeSmith to life in prison followed by 20 years after pleading guilty to repeatedly sexually abusing a 13-year-old over a two-year period. Prosecutors said no plea agreement was offered in the case.

In a separate case in Oglethorpe County, a jury found 52-year-old Diane Sykes guilty of attempted murder, aggravated battery, aggravated assault, and cruelty to children in the first degree. The charges stemmed from an incident in which she cut her 15-year-old autistic son’s throat with a box cutter.

The jury rejected both a not guilty by reason of insanity defense and a guilty but mentally ill verdict.

Prosecutors recommended a sentence of 50 years, with 25 years to be served in prison. However, Judge Harvey Wasserman sentenced Sykes to 90 days in the county jail followed by probation.

According to the district attorney’s office, it was also established during sentencing that Sykes had violated bond conditions by residing in the same home as the victim for several months.

White said the two cases illustrate how sentencing outcomes can vary widely depending on judicial decisions.