HUTCHINSON, Kan. — District Judge Tim Chambers sentenced a 21-year-old Hutchinson man convicted in a home invasion case to over 22 years in prison.

Fredrick Lemons Jr. was convicted of being involved with one of the home invasions where a local man was beaten and robbed.

He was convicted of aggravated kidnapping, aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, two counts of aggravated battery, criminal threat and two counts of criminal damage, however, the judge set aside one of the criminal damage counts because of a bad jury instruction. The state then announced that it would dismiss that count.

The victim testified at trial that he still suffers from his injuries. That included having a tooth knocked out, stitches on his lip and other lacerations to his head. He had testified that he hasn’t been able to work since Oct. 8 and still has pain he has to deal with daily.

This home invasion occurred on May 14, 2015, at a home in the 3400 block of North Waldron. That was one of two during that time period. But Lemons was only suspected in the one case.

Judge Chambers denied a motion for a new trial sought by the defense who argued that there was no evidence of Lemons being at that home. In fact, the defense argued that it has new evidence that showed he was having a Facebook conversation at that time. Apparently they had heard about it before the trial, but were unable to substantiate it.

Judge Chambers admits the evidence was circumstantial, but believes it was strong circumstantial evidence. He also didn’t agree with the defense contention that he was on Facebook at the time of the trial was newly discovered evidence. He says they knew about it before trial, but didn’t present it.

He says the crimes were serious and warranted a serious sentence as he was handing down the 22 years and eight months in prison.

Lemons apologized for the damage to the victim’s car and apologized for what happened, but still maintains his innocence. He’ll appeal the conviction and sentence in the case.