Bessinger kidnapper's sentence reduced

A judge on Thursday cut 13 years from a 38-year sentence given to the former Bessinger Bar-B-Q manager who tied his boss to a chair and strapped a fake bomb to his arm at gunpoint in 2006.

Circuit Judge Michelle Childs reduced her own 2007 sentence so that Charles Allan Priest, 52, will have to serve 25 years for kidnapping Tommy Bessinger Jr. on Feb. 16, 2006. Priest, who has already served three years of that sentence, would be eligible for parole when he's 70 years old.

Childs said she still finds that Priest committed "pre-meditated torture" but changed her sentence to reflect a medical evaluation that says he is a low risk to commit another crime as long as he avoids alcohol and drugs.

Afterward, family members on both sides expressed disappointment with the new sentence.

Ron Priest said his brother, a first-time offender who has been a model prisoner, would not have received such a long sentence had it not been a high-profile case involving a well-known victim.

"We're glad the judge reduced the sentence, but it still remains a life sentence," Ron Priest said. "There are people who have murdered people who will spend less time in prison than my brother."

Michael Bessinger, Tommy's brother and Priest's original target, said there's now a chance Priest could again seek vengeance against the family when he's released.

"We're disappointed because of the chances of him of getting out at a relatively healthy age," Michael Bessinger said. "If the original sentence was kept, we would feel safe."

Childs said she reviewed all of the same evidence against Priest that she did after he pleaded guilty in 2007.

That included hours of video evidence and the note Priest left in his car that said, "Die if necessary. But kill all around first. Do not be taken alive."

Priest, who asked to address the Bessingers but was told to address the court, said he was very sorry for what he did to his former employers who took him in after a failed suicide attempt.

He said his life has changed in the three years he's been behind bars and that he's no longer dependent on drugs and alcohol, even though they're tacitly available.

"I guess if I could have one wish right now, it is that I could have forgiveness from the Bessingers," he said.

Priest's family said he pleaded guilty in 2007 because he didn't want the Bessingers to think he got away with something.

They said his attorney at the time convinced them he would receive five years, 10 at the most.

Priest said he wanted a reduced sentence to reflect the crime. His wife divorced him and he's had to miss funerals for both his father and brother while in prison.

"I lost my life and I didn't actually take a life," he said.

Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson argued that Bessinger survived because he tricked Priest and was able to get away.

Michael Bessinger said they do forgive Priest and they do believe people can change, "but we are not naive." Brother Greg Bessinger said, "I think he's where he belongs."

Reach Andy Paras at 937-5589 or aparas@postandcourier.com.