A 16-year-old who faced life in prison on four counts of aggravated child molestation was convicted instead of sexual battery, which carries a much shorter sentence.
Jadyn Young was arrested last spring and accused of molesting four boys when he was 14, records show. The Gainesville teenager was tried as an adult.
The aggravated child molestation charges carried mandatory minimum sentences of 25 years to life, according to David Hoffer, Young’s attorney.
But a Hall County jury acquitted Young on all four counts Monday night, opting instead to convict him on two counts of sexual battery. He still faces up to 10 years in prison or probation but is not subject to the state’s mandatory minimum sentences.
Hoffer said he was relieved by the verdict.
“You don’t see cases very often where a 16-year-old is facing life in prison,” he said. “Mandatory minimums are just debilitating.”
Young’s trial lasted four days and the jury deliberated for 16 hours before acquitting him of the more serious charges.
His next court appearance is scheduled for March 4. Hoffer said he has filed a motion to have the sentencing moved to juvenile court.
The Hall County district attorney did not respond to calls or emails requesting comment.
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