Mears man receives jail term for driving over cherry trees

William Buchanan, II, with his attorney, Julie Springstead Waltz.

By Allison Scarbrough. OCP Editor.

HART — A 29-year-old Mears man was sentenced in 27th Circuit Court Monday, Nov. 23, to serve four months up front of a one-year discretionary jail term for a conviction of malicious destruction of turf/trees/shrubs $1,000-$20,000.

William Craig Buchanan II, of 7736 W. Fox Rd., testified last month that he intentionally drove over small cherry trees growing in a field July 31, but said he was “trying to turn around to get out of there.” One count of unlawful driving away of an automobile (UDAA) was dismissed in a plea agreement when he pleaded guilty to the malicious destruction charge.

Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon said previously that Buchanan also drove over asparagus.

In addition to his jail sentence, Buchanan was ordered to serve two years probation. A restitution hearing is scheduled for Jan. 20 at 10 a.m. He was given credit for 63 days served in jail.