Jonathan Lee Johnson

A New Martinsville man whose malicious assault was posted on YouTube will serve his sentence as a youthful offender.

On Monday in Wetzel County Circuit Court Judge Mark A. Karl accepted the state’s recommendation that Jonathan Lee Johnson, 20, of 100 Bridge Street, Lot 14 South, be sentenced to six months to two years at the Anthony Center. Upon successful completion of the center’s program he will be placed on two years supervised probation.

However, should he not complete the program, Johnson’s original sentence of two to 10 years in the West Virginia State Penitentiary for Men could be imposed, with credit for 68 days served.

Karl cautioned the defendant that several people have not completed the program lately. “My advice to you, Mr. Johnson, is to complete the program,” he said. “You do not want to go to the penitentiary. Do you hear me?”

When asked in court on March 16 what made him guilty of the offense, Johnson said he kicked and punched the victim several times after an informal football game near New Martinsville School on Jan. 8 over an argument they had over the football score.

Defense Attorney Jeremiah Gardner shared with the court in March that Johnson was offered other agreements which allowed him to plead to a lesser included offense.

However, Johnson chose the above outlined agreement to ensure he would go to the Anthony Center and have the chance to change his behavior through the center’s program.