10 years of probation and a $10,000 fine
CANYON, TEXAS -- Michael Stocker will be on probation for the next 10 years of his life.
The jury handed that sentence down along with a $10,000 fine just after 2:30 Thursday afternoon.
Stocker was on trial for capital murder for his alleged involvement in the 2003 killing of Dustin Pool.
On Wednesday, a 12-member jury decided Stocker was not guilty of murder but that he was involved in aggravated kidnapping.
Thursday began with testimony from character witnesses as Stocker's pastor, father-in-law and Stocker himself took the stand in a successful effort to convince jurors that jail time would not be necessary.
During this time in the trial, the word "probation" was likely used more often than any other as the defense pushed hard to get it in the heads of jurors that they had an option to sentence Stocker that would not include jail time.
Immediately after Stocker's sentence was read, he was taken out of the court to be informed of the terms of his probation.
Though a jury found him guilty, Stocker's family continues to believe his word.
"We believe in Michael and we know him. And, to us, I believe he will always be innocent of what he was charged with," said his sister Kimberly Gomez.
Gomez said her family is relieved that the trial is over and they credit God for the fact that Stocker did not have to serve time behind bars.
Randall County District Attorney James Farren pushed for the jury to sentence Stocker to jail time, saying that would send a message that those with information about crime should cooperate with law enforcement.
But Farren also said he respects the decision of the jury and is glad to lay this case to rest.
"If the result is that this young man goes on to be a productive member of society and ceases to be involved in violent and nefarious activity then we've accomplished that," said Farren.
