Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Amanda S. Petty confers with Assistant District Attorney Skye Gess and Defense Attorney Jay Boswell of Greensboro during aggravated assault trial of Eatonton man Wednesday in Baldwin County Superior Court.

MILLEDGEVILLE, Ga. — A Baldwin County jury of six men and six women deliberated less than half an hour Wednesday afternoon before finding a 20-year-old Eatonton man guilty of aggravated assault stemming from a fight at a restaurant in downtown Milledgeville last October.

Jurors also found Kenneth Lane Padgett, of 150 Capps Lane, guilty of possession of alcohol by a person under the age of 21 in the one-day trial in Baldwin County Superior Court.

Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit Superior Court Judge Amanda S. Petty, who presided over the case, sentenced Padgett to a probationary sentence rather than prison time, saying it was because Padgett did not have a past felony conviction.

Padgett’s convictions on the two charges stemmed from a fight at Buffington’s restaurant and bar Oct. 26, 2016. The fight led to 26-year-old Kevin Frank Yates, of 1815 Vinson Highway, Milledgeville, being injured by a beer bottle thrown at him by Padgett, according to court testimony.

The beer bottle struck Yates in the head and cut his face, which resulted in several stitches.

Assistant District Attorney Skye Gess told Judge Petty prior to sentencing that the state was seeking a 20-year sentence with the first seven years to be served in confinement on the aggravated assault conviction and 12 months probation on the misdemeanor charge of underage drinking by a person under 21.

Padgett’s defense attorney, Jay Boswell, of Greensboro, recommended his client be sentenced to probation and that he receive First Offender Act status.

Boswell said Padgett, who is employed as a supervisor for a landscaping company, works to help himself as well as his mother, who is disabled.

After hearing from both attorneys, Judge Petty sentenced Padgett to 10 years probation on his conviction for aggravated assault and 12 months probation on the underage drinking of alcohol charge.

Petty, presiding over her first criminal trial session in Baldwin County Superior Court since being elected as the newest judge in the eight-county circuit, also told Padgett he would have to pay $1,377.12 in restitution to the victim for medical costs.

Padgett will be under various probationary guidelines, including the possibility of a curfew, and must refrain from drinking alcohol or using drugs.

Petty also ordered that Padgett have no contact with the victim or any member of the victim’s family while on probation.