Press Release
The Office of State Attorney Glenn Hess announces that on November 20, 2019, in Circuit Court in Calhoun County, the Honorable Shonna Gay pronounced sentence on James Michael Hathaway, age 29. Hathaway had been convicted on October 18, 2019, by a jury of Murder in the Second Degree (Victim over 65 years of age), Burglary with an Assault, Kidnapping, and Robbery. Family of the victim, Frank Smith, testified that the victim was a loving father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and that his killing was completely unnecessary. Assistant State Attorney William Wright urged the Judge to give the maximum sentence. Judge Gay sentenced Hathaway to life in prison for the murder, kidnapping and burglary, and she ordered that the sentences be served consecutively. Judge Gay also sentenced him to 15 years on the robbery and 5 years on a violation of probation, to be served concurrently.
The case was investigated by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office with assistance from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement.
For additional information, contact Chief Assistant State Attorney Larry Basford.