About The times. (Gainesville, Ga.) 1972-current | View Entire Issue (March 1, 2024)
Weekend Edition - MARCH 1-2,20241 $2.00 I GAINESVILLE, GEORGIA I gainesvilletimes.com Lakeview Academy boys, girls earn semifinal wins, advance to basketball championships in GIAA. SPORTS, 1C Honestly Local Ex-substitute convicted of sexual assault Some jurors felt cornered by the law’ after verdict BY BEN ANDERSON banderson@gainesvilletimes.com A former substitute teacher at East Hall High School accused of sexually assaulting a 15-year-old student was sentenced Thursday to 30 years in prison and life on probation. The jury found Christopher Young, 24, guilty of aggravated child molestation, but acquitted him on two counts of aggravated sexual battery. Each of the charges carried a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in prison. Several jurors told The Times outside the courthouse that they were dissatisfied with the outcome, saying they felt “cornered by the law” regarding aggravated child molestation. They believed the girl lied about her age to Young and fully consented to having sexual relations with him, but the law on aggravated child molestation doesn't take those things into account: Any act of sodomy on a person under the age of 16 meets the definition of the law. Given the evidence of the trial — which included an admission by Young and graphic video proof See Substitute 14A Christopher Young appears for trial in Hall County Superior Court Tuesday, Feb. 27, for aggravated child molestation charges. Young was convicted Thursday. Scott Rogers The Times Exploring their futures Photos by Scott Rogers The Times Chestatee Middle School students visit Brenau University Wednesday, Feb. 28, for the 2024 Career Path Fair. The annual event allows nearly 200 students to explore careers by hearing directly from more than 60 local businesses representing 12 career paths at local college campuses. Emmie Howard prepares to take the stage and address Chestatee Middle School students University Wednesday, Feb. 28, at Brenau University’s Pearce Auditorium during the 2024 Career Path Fair. Howard, a 2001 Brenau University graduate, is president of Onward Reserve, a specialty men’s apparel and life style brand. Brenau University President David L. Barnett chats with Chestatee Middle School students as they visit Brenau University Wednesday, Feb. 28, for the 2024 Career Path Fair. Longtime Lanier Islands CEO dies of brain cancer BY BRIAN WELLMEIER bwellmeier@gainesvilletimes.com Mike Williams, the former CEO of Lanier Islands, died on Feb. 10 at the age of 59. The cause of death was brain cancer. Williams was diagnosed last April with glioblastoma, an aggressive form of brain can cer, and had recently retired as CEO of Lanier Islands. His final months were spent in Florida with his family while he received treatment. A service for Williams will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, March 15 at Peachtree Point at Lanier Islands Resort, 7000 Lanier Islands Parkway in See Williams 14A Williams Man acquitted of rape, guilty of child molestation BY NICK WATSON nwatson@gainesvilletimes.com A Clarkesville man was found guilty of child molestation while being acquitted of two more serious sexual assault charges. Corey James Glenn Aaron, 42, was sentenced to 20 years with nine years to serve in prison. After two days of evidence and argument, the jury returned at 9 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 29 to decide Aaron's fate. The jury reached its verdict before 3:30 p.m. Thursday. Aaron was indicted on charges of rape, See Aaron 14A ONLINE INSIDE gainesvilletimes.com/newsletters: Sign up to receive email newsletters from The Times gainesvilletimes.com/apps: Download The Times’ app for a user-friendly online experience and app notifications for big stories Calendar 2A Life Classified 7C Opinion Comics 1D Region Fun+Games 4C Sports 1B 6A 8C 1C 4 090 1 06825 GREAT ADVENTURES START HERE From the excitement of delivery to the first embrace, welcoming your child into the world is the beginning of one of life’s greatest adventures. Soon, your new baby is meeting siblings and loved ones and, before you know it, you're celebrating even more firsts - a first birthday, first trip to the beach and first day of school. Start the adventure here. Northeast Georgia Medical Center Deliver at one of NGMC’s three convenient locations in Braselton, Gainesville or Habersham. nghs.com/adventure WOMEN & CHILDREN’S SERVICES
