Stuart Vincent Smith, 32, of Marietta, pleaded guilty to charges of arson, aggravated assault, vandalism to a place of worship, possession of a firearm during commission of a crime and carrying a firearm to a public gathering.
Chatham County Superior Court Chief Judge Perry Brannen Jr. called Smith's crime ``an offense to everyone who lives in this community.''
Smith's prison sentence included 15 years for arson, 10 years on each of two aggravated assault counts, five years for vandalism to a place of worship and carrying a firearm to a public gathering, all of which will be served concurrently. He also will serve five years consecutively for possessing a firearm during the commission of a crime.
Brannen rejected testimony by defense psychologist Jane Weilenman that Smith's acts were a cry for help from 10 years of alcohol dependence and depression stemming from a troubled childhood.
``My assessment is the sum total of all (her) testimony amounts to nothing,'' Brannen said.
Testimony showed that Smith took a Greyhound bus to Savannah after being evicted from his Marietta apartment. He toured the town, smoked marijuana and the next day, Oct. 7, 2003, entered the church. Inside he doused cushions in the Bishop's chair and a Bible on the altar with lighter fluid, which he ignited with a Zippo lighter.
He used a .9 mm gun to ward off docent Peggy Baker and Monsignor William O'Neill, who tried to put out the fires. Damage totaled $365,000 to the church that underwent an $11 million restoration three years earlier.
``It was extremely distressing for me to witness the defendant's deliberate attempt to destroy not only the building but the spirit of the people who worked to restore it. Buildings can be repaired, even though at great cost, but when the damage is deliberately caused, the cost seems greater and inexcusable,'' Monsignor William O'Neill wrote in a statement read in court. ``Even though the defendant claims he does not believe in a God, I want him to know that I will continue to pray for him every day that he will find peace and courage to live responsibly.''
