FORT WORTH (TX)
Fort Worth Star-Telegram
By MARTHA DELLER
STAR-TELEGRAM STAFF WRITER
FORT WORTH - Rejecting defense pleas for probation or a short prison term, a Tarrant County jury recommended that Larry Nuell Neathery serve maximum prison terms on 25 charges of sexually abusing five boys, virtually ensuring that the 56-year-old former Baptist pastor ends his life behind bars.
The nine-man, three-woman jury deliberated more than three hours Tuesday before recommending that Neathery serve three life sentences and ten 99-year sentences on 13 aggravated-sexual-assault charges, which are first-degree felonies.
Jurors also recommended that he serve nine 20-year sentences and three 10-year sentences for second- and third-degree felony sex crimes.
Judge Mike Thomas sentenced Neathery to serve the 25 prison terms concurrently. That means that he must serve 30 years before he is eligible for parole on the life sentences, prosecutor Rebecca McIntire said.