Quick verdict in the General Sessions Court

The man accused of taking a wire mesh strainer from the Seneca Wal-Mart and running out of the store past the cash registers has been convicted in the General Sessions Court. The jury found Curtis J. Bearden guilty of shoplifting enhancement. Judge McIntosh ordered a 10-year prison term, suspended to 30 months of home incarceration, followed by five years probation. The theft occurred in 2017. The prosecution played a Wal-Mart surveillance video. Deputy Pelfrey watched the video and recognized Bearden, a man with whom he was familiar.  The trial took only the first half of court day yesterday, and the jury was not out long.