Couple found guilty in holiday fight
by Shaka S. Lias
Feb 28, 2011 | 899 views | 0 0 comments | 8 8 recommendations | email to a friend | print
A jury found Steve and Donna Bradshaw guilty Friday afternoon in Bartow County Superior Court for their part in a 2007 Thanksgiving Day fight that left a man cut and requiring surgery.

Donna Bradshaw was found guilty of hindering a police officer and tampering with evidence, while her husband Steve was found guilty of aggravated assault and four counts of disorderly conduct.

In closing arguments Friday, Assistant District Attorney Jana Allen stated that the case was sad.

"It's no fun for Mr. [Anthony] Perrotta and I to have to come in here and have family testify against each other."

Attorney for the defense Anthony Perotta said that each witness did their best to make his client, Steve Bradshaw "look like a jerk."

Mr. Bradshaw testified Friday morning that he was in fear for his life during the fight between him and his wife's relatives on Nov. 22, 2007.

Bradshaw testified that he was being beaten in the head by his brother in law and kicked by a nephew for what seems like forever.

"I got in fear of my life and that's when I pulled out my knife and started cutting," he said.

"I didn't know who I was cutting, I just wanted them to stop," he said.

Bradshaw said he knew he was going to jail and instructed his wife to go home and come bail him out later.

"In the chaos that was going on I put the knife in her back pocket. She didn't know I did it," he testified.

Testimonies began Thursday morning when Donna Bradshaw's brother took the stand.

He testified that a disagreement between him and Steve Bradshaw started during a conversation about tattoos between some other family members.

Bradshaw stated that anyone with tattoos is not a Christian. To which the witness replied that his mother has a tattoo. "Are you saying my mama's not a Christian?" the witness asked Bradshaw.

Bradshaw informed him that he was not referring to his mother.

The witness testified that another argument started between the two when he attempted to light a cigarette.

Bradshaw told him not to smoke in the house and the witness told him he could smoke in the house if he wanted because the house was in his name.

More arguing ensued between Bradshaw and other family members and a fight broke out ending in a nephew being severely cut on the arm by Bradshaw.

"It's stupid to argue over tattoos and cigarettes," Allen said. However, she said, "Bradshaw brought a knife to a fist fight."

Donna Bradshaw was charged with not disclosing the wherereabouts of the knife when asked by police.

"I'm not telling you anything," Deputy Stephanie Sanford testified Bradshaw said.

Sanford said she informed Bradshaw that she was obstructing the investigation and would be arrested.

Upon placing handcuffs on Bradshaw, the knife was found in her back pocket.

"I can't go against my husband," Bradshaw said to Sanford while being led to the patrol car.

Judge Shepherd Howell described the case as "hard to listen to."

Sentencing will be held on March 15 pending a pre-trial investigation.