By Rupert Howell
Julius Bland of Grenada pleaded guilty to the May 1 kidnapping and was sentenced to 25 years without parole during sentencing Thursday morning in Panola County First Judicial Court.
The sentencing followed charges of kidnapping and rape that came after a local woman was flagged down on the road, placed in the trunk and raped multiple times south of Pope, according to investigators. She later was set free in Tallahatchie County and found a way home and notified officials.
By the end of the week, sheriff department investigators had enough information to go after Bland, and officers of the U.S. Marshall’s Task Force found and brought him to Panola after locating him in Grenada.
Bland has had previous incarcerations including trips to mental facilities. His lawyer Bobby Defer made it clear that he had spent extra time explaining charges and sentencing to his client.
Although no chance of parole, Bland’s admission to guilt on the first count of kidnapping gave him the opportunity to serve his years without facing a life sentence.
A statement claiming his ability to know right from wrong determined by a state approved psychologist was read prior to Thursday’s proceedings.
“Twenty-five years. That’s a long time. How old will I be when I get to go home,” Bland asked.
When told how old he would be, he said, “52—I’ll be an old man.”
“Not if you live to be 80 or 90,” the judge responded.