Former Jay man expected to plead guilty to assault

FARMINGTON - A former Jay man, now in the Franklin County jail in Farmington, is expected to plead today to a charge of aggravated assault.

Adam Mears, 19, was initially accused by Jay police in May 2004 of attempted murder and two counts of aggravated assault in connection with the stabbing of Robert Hart, 21, of Auburn during an altercation at a mobile home park in Jay.

Mears' right little finger was cut off when a folding knife closed on it.

Through discussions between Mears' attorney, Richard Morton of Farmington, and state prosecutors, the attempted murder charge was dismissed, Morton said Friday.

Morton said his client intends to plead guilty to aggravated assault today in the judge's chambers at Franklin County Superior Court in Farmington.

A conviction for aggravated assault carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison.

Mears has been in jail since his arrest last May. He was charged at the time with violating his probation. He completed serving his sentence for that violation, Morton said, and is awaiting resolution of the aggravated assault case. His bail was set at $15,000 cash or $75,000 worth of real estate, according to a jail intake worker.

Morton said a sentencing recommendation has been negotiated, but he would not disclose what it is.