Circuit Court Judge Toni Terrett on Tuesday handed down a sentence of life in prison plus 15 years for 69-year-old Elza C. Sanders, who was convicted in September of sexual battery of a victim under the age of 14 and molesting.

Sanders received a life sentence for the sexual battery conviction and a 15-year sentence for the molestation conviction. 

Assistant District Attorney Branan Southerland presented the case on behalf of the state. Sanders was represented by attorney Eugene Perrier.

The case relates to an incident that took place in Warren County in 2015, when the victim, her mother and siblings were residing with Sanders. The victim, now 17 years old, testified in September. At the time of the assault, she was eight years of age.

During the trial, Southerland pointed out that the victim’s testimony during a 2021 investigation and her testimony on the stand were consistent. He reiterated the statistic that 95% of sexual assault cases have no physical evidence. Perrier argued the only evidence in this case was the victim’s statement, and that was not enough to convict.

During Tuesday’s sentencing, Southerland asked for a life sentence on the sexual battery conviction and the maximum of 30 years on the molestation conviction. 

Perrier said Sanders maintains his innocence and reiterated the case hinged on the victim’s story versus his clients’. Perrier also said his client has suffered a stroke in the years since the incident, is in overall poor health and uses a walker to get around.

Prior to handing down the sentence, Terrett said she understood Perrier’s concerns over his client’s health and said the victim’s statements were deemed credible.

The full story from September’s trial can be found at  https://www.vicksburgpost.com/2024/09/26/warren-county-man-found-guilty-of-sexual-battery-child-molestation/