Indiana man gets 10 years for running over wheelchair-using neighbor

From Fort Bend Now in Indiana:

A Quail Run subdivision resident has been sentenced to 10 years in prison, after running over his wheelchair-bound neighbor, resulting in the amputation of the victim’s one remaining leg.

Thirty-four-year-old James Arvis Polley was convicted of injury to a disabled person after the jury deliberated for less than two hours.

The victim died in September of this year of unrelated causes, and Polley attended a fundraising barbeque to offset the funeral expenses.

According to prosecutor Jeff Strange, Polley got into an altercation with his neighbor in the Quail Run subdivision April 2009. Robert Brown, paralyzed below the waist and with only one leg, was confined to a wheelchair. During the argument, Polley returned to his van that was parked on the street – with his twin 9-month-old daughters inside.

He then backed up before pulling into Brown’s driveway; striking him and his 73 year old mother, who suffered only a minor injury. Brown was taken to Memorial Southwest Hospital where his remaining leg was amputated.

The case was tried in the 434th District Court before presiding judge James Shoemake. Injury to a Disabled Person in this case is a first-degree felony punishable by 5-99 years or life in prison and a fine up to $10,000. Polley was not eligible to receive probation.

Assistant District Attorneys Jeff Strange and Amber Givens prosecuted the case. Attorney Dee McKinney represented the defendant.