“He’s not vicious and he’s not cold-hearted the way they made him look,” said Billee Mott, Mott’s mother.
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According to Clark County Sheriff’s deputies, Jacob Mott and the victim of the shooting were in an argument over a stolen pair of shoes from six years ago. Mott’s mom said that’s not entirely true — other factors were involved that escalated the situation.
Court records from Mott’s case said Mott and the victim had been fighting earlier in the evening. Mott then invited the victim back to his house on Ash Drive to dish it out further — but Mott arrived to find the victim with two cars full of people.
Deputies say that’s when Mott went to grab a gun. Mott and the victim began to fight outside the home and the gun went off.
The victim was taken to the hospital and underwent surgery.
Deputies on the scene ruled out a claim of self-defense by saying that Mott had plenty of time to call 9-1-1 for help if he thought he was in danger.
Mott — who has been described by family and court personnel as vocal — broke down prior to his sentencing.
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Fighting back tears, he asked the judge to have mercy on him, knowing that a lengthy prison sentence would mean less time with his young son.
“I never meant to hurt him with anything,” Mott said in court.
But both the judge and prosecution made the point that this situation should’ve been handled differently.
“Some may say well a nine year sentence is a little harsh — this guy lived,” said Clark County Assistant Prosecutor Brian Driscoll. “But had that bullet traveled a different direction, this kid could’ve easily been killed and this could’ve been a murder trial.”
Billee Mott said she doesn’t have ill-will toward the judge in the case, but she isn’t going to stop fighting for her son. She’s already looking into the appeal process — no matter how much money that may take.
“He’s a really good kid. And anyone who knows him — anyone who knows my son knows that he is a giving, loving and compassionate guy,” she said.
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