A Lake Charles man was sentenced to 13 years in prison after pleading guilty in 14th Judicial District Court to charges in three separate incidents.

Jason Sams, 33, pleaded guilty to possession of stolen things over $500, a charge that dates to August 2007, said Holly Carter, district attorney spokeswoman.

She said he also pleaded guilty to drug possession, a charge from May 2011, and resisting an officer with force, from July 2011.

The 10-year sentences he received for possession of stolen things and drug possession are to run concurrently; the three years he received for resisting an officer will run consecutively.

Continuances

• The trial of a Gillis man accused of killing his cousin was continued to May 20 so that a psychiatric exam can be completed. Eric Bello, 40, is accused of shooting 32-year-old Pauline Bryant in 2008.

• Desmond Lamar General’s attempted first-degree murder trial was reset for May 20. A status hearing is to be held April 2. General, 27, was originally charged with the attempted murder of four people — a 29-year-old woman, an 8-year-old child and two babies — in August.

• Ellis Charles’ hit-and-run trial was continued to June 17. Charles was indicted on a charge of vehicular homicide in 2009. Authorities said he struck and killed 54-year-old Gary Wayne Charles, who was traveling down Shattuck Street in a motorized wheelchair.

Police said Ellis Charles was followed by a witness, who called police. The victim and defendant were not related.

(mgnonline.com)