CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Stephens family let out a collective sigh of relief as a judge sentenced the man who murdered 28-year-old Seth Stephens: life in prison, plus 25 years. And Gant will soon face additional charges for biting a court deputy.

On Dec. 2, 2020, officers responded to the King Mao Chinese restaurant on Needmore Road, where an armed robbery resulted in the death of an employee. The robber fled and remained at large for almost two years. During the course of the investigation, police arrested Jaelyn Gant, 31, and extradited him to the Montgomery County Jail on Nov. 9, 2022.

Seth Stephens, 28, worked at the King Mao restaurant on Dec. 2, 2020, when an armed robbery took his life. (Hannah Stephens contributed)

Gant had been charged with first-degree murder and other robbery-related charges. On Aug. 23, the jury found him guilty of the lesser second-degree murder on count 1, and guilty as charged of first-degree murder in perpetration to commit a crime on count 2, plus other charges.

‘You stole so much more than $106’

On Nov. 6, the sentencing for Gant began. Hannah Stephens, Seth’s sister, took the stand to address Gant on behalf of her family.

“I stand before you today as a grieving sibling, profoundly affected by the brutal murder of my brother,” Hannah said. “His death has unleashed a torrent of endless suffering upon our family, an ache that seems insurmountable.”

Seth Stephens, 28, worked at the King Mao restaurant on Dec. 2, 2020, when an armed robbery took his life. (Hannah Stephens contributed)

Hannah told the court her life has been shattered with grief and she deals with panic attacks and PTSD daily. She said every time she hears a siren or can’t get in touch with a loved one, she starts to spiral. The sense of safety she once had, Hannah said, has been stripped away.

“You stole so much more than $106 that day. You stole everything from my family. A brother, a father, an uncle, and a son,” she said. “The world feels different, harsher, and more isolating. Family gatherings, once filled with joy, now serve as painful reminders of his absence.

“The pain of his absence is a constant reminder of the fragility of life and the devastating consequences of senseless crime and violence. We will never be whole again, but we will continue living every day in his honor,” Hannah said.

‘Made his livelihood committing crimes’

Chief Deputy District Attorney Marianne Bell requested Gant be sentenced to a total of 97 years. “He has earned it.”

The defense asked that Gant be sentenced to no more than life.

Judge Robert Bateman speaks during the initial sentencing for Jaelyn Gant, Oct. 9, 2024. (Jordan Renfro)

The state argued that with Gant’s history of criminal behavior and convictions, the murder of Stephens and burglary of the King Mao owners, and his lack of hesitance about committing crime when the risk to human life was high were all enhancement factors.

Bell told Clarksville Now that Judge Robert Bateman agreed with the state’s argument that, “Gant is a professional criminal with an extensive record, who made his livelihood committing crimes.”

Bateman delivered the following sentence:

  1. Second-degree murder: 25 years (merged with count 2)
  2. First-degree murder in perpetration of a crime: Life, 60 years (minus credited time served up to 15%; merged with count 1)
  3. Especially Aggravated Robbery: 25 years (consecutive to count 2)
  4. Convicted felon in possession of a weapon: 12 years (concurrent to count 2)

Gant’s total sentence is life in prison plus 25 years.

The state dismissed two misdemeanor assault charges Gant accrued from his extradition to Montgomery County after attacking a corrections officer, Bell said.

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Defendant bites court officer

This was the second time court convened to sentence Gant. On the original sentencing date, Oct. 9, Gant caused an outburst that led the court proceedings to be postponed.

Clarksville Now observed that, as the sentencing hearing began, Gant was surrounded by several court officers while his new defense attorney, Public Defender Roger Nell, spoke with Judge Bateman.

Court officers wrestle with Jaelyn Gant during his outburst on his original sentencing date, Oct. 9, 2024. (Jordan Renfro)

Nell explained to the court that he was not prepared to proceed since Gant had dismissed his previous attorney 20 days after the verdict, giving Nell only 19 days to try to work with Gant. Judge Bateman, however, was ready to proceed.

“You’re inviting all kinds of issues, judge,” Nell said. “I have not had time to get ready for a case, even with a cooperating client.”

Gant began to speak as Bateman said, “Mr. Gant, Mr. Nell is going to represent you.”

“I object,” Gant said.

“OK, you can object. Are you going to represent yourself?” Bateman asked.

“No,” Gant said.

“Then Mr. Nell, right now, is going to represent you,” Bateman said, but Gant wasn’t done. It’s unclear what Gant said, but he was agitated.

Suddenly, the deputies swarmed on top of Gant, chains rattling and thumps sounding from the beneath the pile of court officers as Gant made a noise, what sounded like a laugh.

A deputy approached the gallery and told everyone to leave the courtroom as law enforcement wrestled with Gant, wrangling him out of the courtroom.

Bell later told Clarksville Now that Gant was displeased with Bateman’s ruling to continue with sentencing. According to her, Gant pulled his face mask down, and when a deputy pulled Gant’s mask back up and told him to keep it on, Gant bit the deputy.

Bell said Gant is facing three new charges because of the incident in the courtroom.

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