By Billy Davis

A mother and her boyfriend have been sentenced to prison for sexually abusing her seven-year-old child.

Candice McKenzie and Steve Powell were each sentenced to 20 years by Circuit Judge Andrew C. Baker, said Assistant District Attorney Jay Hale.

Baker suspended 12 years of the sentence, meaning McKenzie and Powell will serve eight years in prison, Hale said.

“Under Mississippi law, they will serve all eight years because it’s a sex-related crime,” he explained.

The sentencing, held on July 3 in Sardis, came after a four-day trial in June in which both defendants were tried at the same time.

Hale said McKenzie and Powell had been indicted on a single count of conspiracy and a single count of sexual battery.

Batesville attorney Helen Kelly represented both defendants.

Assistant District Attorney Rhonda Amis and Hale presented the state’s case against McKenzie and Powell.

In other court business, Hale said the murder trial of Dennis Ray Cosby is set for August 3 in Batesville.

Cosby is accused of killing his wife, Windy Cosby.