Larry Pearson, 36, was sentenced by a Lubbock, Tx., jury on Wednesday to 70 years in prison after he was found guilty on two counts of harassment of a public servant for spitting at Lubbock Police officers. Prosecutor Jessica Gorman said Pearson was arrested in May 2022 for domestic violence after a victim flagged down an officer, reports EverythingLubbock.com. The victim told police that Pearson hit her several times, and that he had a gun. Gorman said that firearm turned out to be an airsoft gun. A police report said the victim had “multiple visible injuries” on her face. Gorman said after Pearson was taken into custody, he was upset that the victim was not arrested instead.
Gorman said Pearson started kicking at the doors on the officer’s vehicle. When the officers opened the door to tell him to stop, Gorman said he spit at both officers. Gorman said Pearson kept spitting after he arrived at the Lubbock County Detention Center. In closing arguments of the trial's sentencing phase,, Gorman asked the jury to consider a number that would “send a message” to Pearson and society. Gorman said Pearson had prior convictions of aggravated robbery and continuing family violence. “If you’re going to live the life of crime, you’re going to do that among other criminals [in prison],” Gorman said. Defense Attorney Jim Shaw told the jury the sentencing was for a “simple misdemeanor” in a circumstance that got “out of control.”