One of the men who entered plea in the case where he entered pleas on association with the kidnapping and beating of a Nickerson man back in September of 2011 and two other cases, still has not been sentenced.

The main case against Jeremia Palmer centers on 28-year-old Larry McVey reporting that he had been kidnapped, beaten and robbed by three men back on September 8, 2011.

Palmer was charged with aggravated kidnapping, but as part of a plea agreement the state amended the complaint changing the charge to conspiracy to commit first degree murder. He also entered pleas to conspiracy to commit aggravated kidnapping, aggravated burglary, aggravated battery, aggravated intimidation of a victim, two counts of criminal threat, one from another case. Then a charge of aggravated battery from a third case was knocked down to simple battery.

Palmer had also been charged with aggravated battery for an incident on July 22, 2011, when he allegedly battered Tyler Melton after he accused him of making some comment to his girlfriend. In the other case, he’s charged with criminal threat against Michael Young, which is reported to have occurred back on July 30, 2011.

Apparently the defense had Palmer go through a mental evaluation outside of any order of the court. They presented the state with what Deputy District Attorney Tom Stanton called an extensive report. He asked for a continuance Friday saying he just received the report of Wednesday and hasn’t had time to go through it. He told us that he may decide he wants an independent exam done prior to sentencing.

So when sentencing will occur now is unknown, but depending on what the state decides they want to do, it may be sometime down the road. When it happens, expect the defense to argue for a downward departure sentence.

A co-defendant, Zachary Lawson was also offered a similar plea, but declined the offer. He’s charged with aggravated kidnapping, attempted aggravated robbery, aggravated battery, criminal threat, possession of drugs, possession of meth and marijuana. His case is awaiting a jury trial in front of Judge Tim Chambers. But, he also has charges by the feds for a case in Arkansas. His trial has been continued which was scheduled to begin on April 30.

The third defendant in the case, 28-year-old Jedrik Smith was sentenced to 196-months for two cases against him including the kidnapping case.