By By Steve Swogetinsky/The Meridian Star
Feb. 27, 2001
QUITMAN A Clarke County woman will serve no prison time after pleading guilty Monday in circuit court to manslaughter.
Circuit Judge Larry Roberts accepted the plea of Paula M. Bass, 32, of Quitman, whose sentence of five years was suspended. Instead, Roberts placed her on probation for five years.
Bass was charged in the slaying of Terry Cooks, her former boyfriend, on March 10, 2000 in what appeared to be a domestic dispute. He died at H.C. Watkins Memorial Hospital later that day from a knife wound to his chest.
The two had been quarreling at Bass' residence at Quail Run Apartments, according to reports from the Quitman Police Department. Bass told police Cooks had been at the apartment in the early morning hours, and then returned that afternoon.
A confrontation resulted in the stabbing incident. When she heard that Cooks had died, Bass surrendered to the Clarke County Sheriff's Department.
As part of her penalty, Bass was ordered to pay $1,245 in fees and court costs. She is to report to her probation officer monthly and is not to leave the county without his permission.
Steve Swogetinsky is regional editor of The Meridian Star. E-mail him at sswogetinsky@themeridianstar.com.