A Habersham County Superior Court Judge today sentenced Tommy Savage to 30 years in prison for the April 2016 shooting death of Jesse Looney of Demorest.
The 59-year-old Savage pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and two counts of aggravated assault during a hearing Wednesday before Chief Judge Russell Smith. The assault charges are connected to the same incident and involved the two passengers in the truck Looney was driving when he was shot to death.
Savage shot the 33-year-old Looney and then- 26-year-old Brandon Stephens during a dispute. A woman, identified as Amanda Jill Callahan, was with them but was not injured.
Police arrested Savage after a more than six-hour standoff at his home on Garrison Road.
Savage says he feared for his life
During his interview with law enforcement after the shooting Savage said he thought he was shooting someone who had made repeated threats of violence against him, according to Christian. Savage also contended that just prior to the shooting he thought he heard the same individual, who had been at the house earlier that day, talking about “burning him out”. He told authorities he feared for his life.
As it turned out, Looney was not the person Savage claimed to be afraid of, it was someone else.
Savage was originally charged with felony murder but that charge was reduced. Mountain Judicial Circuit District Attorney George Christian says prosecutors would have presented the legally allowed, lesser charge of manslaughter to the jury if the case had gone to trial.
As part of the plea deal, the defense and prosecution recommended Savage get 30 years in prison. Judge Smith accepted their recommendation and sentenced Savage to 20 years for manslaughter and 10 years on each assault charge. The 10 year sentences will run concurrent to each other, but consecutive to the 20 year sentence.
The D.A. says Looney’s mother agreed with the joint sentencing recommendation. Savage will receive credit for time served since his arrest on April 19, 2016.
He was originally indicted on ten counts. The court withheld sentencing on the seven other charges under the First Offender Act.
Forgiveness and justice
It’s been a long time getting to this point. The court postponed Savage’s murder trial several times for various reasons over the past two-and-a-half years. The Court fielded a number of motions in the case. Christian says, at one point, the Defense asked the Supreme Court of Georgia to review the Superior Court’s rulings.
The Supreme Court refused.
In Court Wednesday, Jesse Looney’s mother Georgia spoke on behalf of her family before the judge handed down his sentence. She spoke of forgiveness and the impact her son’s death had on their family. She also spoke about the need for closure.
The Court gave Savage a chance to speak during his sentencing hearing. He did not. He did waive his right to appeal any of the motions the Court ruled on prior to his guilty plea.
The District Attorney says he’s satisfied with the outcome.
“The guilty plea was consistent with the evidence that was developed,” Christian says. “Given the totality of the facts and circumstances, the law, the lengthy sentence received by Savage (at) age 59, I do believe that justice was served.”
Christian commends the victim advocate coordinator Morgan Green for doing an “incredible job” working with and supporting the Looney family during every step of the process. He also offers high praise for Assistant District Attorney Eddie Staples who spent “countless hours” in and out of court working on motions and preparing the case for trial. A.D.A. Meredith Davis also assisted with the case.
“There will not be any appeal of Court rulings leading up to the guilty plea,” Christian adds, “and I hope and trust that the Looney family will be able to maintain their strength and courage, in facing the loss of their loved one, Jesse Looney, through their strong faith.”
This article has been updated to include the District Attorney’s comments
