Sims sentenced to 40 years

Last month Fifth Judicial Circuit Judge Tom F. Young sentenced Robert Gary Sims Jr., 49, to 40 years in the death of his wife, Brenda, 59.

Both were reserve deputies with the Randolph County Sheriff’s Department and at first her shooting was thought to be an accident.

But Sims was indicted and in November of last year a jury returned a verdict of guilty in his murder trial. The verdict came after a four-day trial. Sentencing was set for later.

Family and friends spoke before the sentence was given. They said what a good person Sims is and asked for leniency. On the victim’s side Brenda’s two sons spoke and also asked for leniency.

The judge said Sims was found guilty by a jury of his peers and the scientific evidence doesn’t lie so he sentenced Sims to 40 years.

The judge said this is one of the least favorite parts of his job but it is part of his job and he has to do it.

Members of law enforcement, Department of Forensic Sciences and others testified during the trial. The couple, both Randolph County Sheriff’s Reserve officers, were planning to practice shooting targets in their backyard to qualify for their jobs when Sims said the gun, in her bag, went off.

Dr. Stephen Boudrea, senior medical examiner, said her death was caused by a shot to the chest and the entry wound was surrounded by soot material. In a photograph he showed blackish material around the gunshot wound in her chest. Boudrea testified the gun was placed loosely in touch with her skin. The shot disrupted her heart and she died very quickly. He deemed the manner of death as homicide. The amount of soot on the wound indicates nothing was between her and the pistol muzzle, although she was wearing a T-shirt.