FARMINGTON – A man who served seven years for a manslaughter conviction in 2000 was sentenced to 21 days in jail Thursday after he admitted violating his probation in August.

Jeremiah Paulton, 24, of Strong, formerly of Farmington, was given credit for the 21 days since he had already served time in jail in July in regards to the probation violation.

Paulton was 16 when he was accused of killing Blaine Jasper with a knife during an altercation in April 1999.

He was initially charged with murder, and held at a juvenile detention center for 578 days before he pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Nov. 22, 2000.

He was treated as an adult and was sentenced to 20 years, with all but seven years suspended and six years probation. He was given credit for time served in the juvenile detention center.

Paulton is on probation in connection with the manslaughter sentence and was accused in July of violating the terms of probation by committing a misdemeanor assault.

The latter charge was dismissed in 12th District Court Thursday in an agreement between a state prosecutor and Paulton and his attorney, Joshua Robbins.

Robbins said before the sentence hearing that his client was held on bail he couldn’t meet on the probation violation and admitted to it as the quickest means to get out of jail. He wanted to see his daughter, Robbins said.

The state only needs preponderance of evidence to prove someone guilty on a probation violation, Robbins said.

In this case, Robbins said, his client has the remainder of the 20-year sentence hanging over him if he violates probation with new criminal activity. His client contends he did not commit the assault, Robbins said.

In a probation violation case where there is new criminal behavior committed, the state would have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the crime was committed, Assistant District Attorney James Andrews said.

The state prosecutor said that 21-days already served is a partial revocation toward the 20-year sentence.