Defendant in lone criminal trial this month pleads guilty

The only criminal trial in the Superior Court of Coffee County was canceled Tuesday morning after the defendant, Daniel Rashon Knighton, pleaded guilty to his charge just before the jury was called in. While several other individuals were listed on this week's criminal calendar, Knighton's was the only case scheduled.

According to documents filed in the Superior Court of Coffee County, Knighton was arrested in October 2020 on charges of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, possession of a firearm or knife during the commission of a crime, and pointing a gun or pistol at another.

However, an indictment for Knighton on only one of the counts—possession of a firearm by a convicted felon—was brought before a Coffee County Grand Jury. He was indicted on the charge and has been in jail awaiting trial since. 

A copy of the warrant states that on October 17, 2020, Knighton possessed a Smith & Wesson 9mm handgun at a residence on Maple Street. As a convicted felon under state law, Knighton is prohibited from owning or possessing a firearm.

Knighton has had several previous run-ins with the law, including a robbery conviction and a guilty plea for burglary. While in prison on those charges, he was convicted of possession of contraband while incarcerated, which added five years to his sentence.

After the plea hearing Tuesday morning, he was sentenced to 10 years, 3 of which will be served in prison, followed by time at RSAT, and serve the rest of his sentence on probation.

Knighton will also have to pay fines and court costs and will receive credit for time served. He has been incarcerated since October 2020, knocking a little over two years off his sentence.

Several other cases were listed on the criminal calendar this week, with many individuals pleading to their charges. Some of the cases were continued to the next criminal trial week, which will occur next month. DouglasNow will publish a story this week regarding those who pleaded guilty to their charges, along with which cases were continued.