POSTED: Wednesday, April 27, 2011 - 6:30pm
UPDATED: Thursday, April 28, 2011 - 2:27am
QUITMAN — 43-year-old JoAnn Stephens has been sentenced to 180 days in the Wood County Jail and 10 years probation.
This morning in the Wood County courtroom, some final efforts by the defense included testimony by Stephens' pastor.
Mark Neeley, the pastor of First Baptist Church of Mineola told the court, Stephens is genuinely remorseful for her actions.
Also this morning - Stephens herself took the stand.
She apologized to the community as well as the family of the former Mineola High School student who has since graduated.
The District Attorney says Stephens could face more jail time.
"In the event that the terms and conditions of her probation are not satisfied or she commits an offense against the State of Texas or any other state, then she faces a maximum punishment of 5 years confinement in the Texas Department of Criminal Justice," said District Attorney Jim Wheeler.
Also in court this morning, Stephens says she apologizes to her husband everyday, and she says she'll try to be the best wife and mother she can be.