By Shavonne Potts
spotts@salisburypost.com
A Greensboro man was convicted in Rowan Superior Court for marijuana possession and spitting blood on a police officer.
O’Reynold Jamaar Lennon, 30, was sentenced Thursday to 24 to 29 months for malicious conduct by a prisoner and eight to 10 months for possession with intent to sell and deliver a schedule VI substance.
The possession charge was suspended, which is required by law, indicated Assistant District Attorney Karen Biernacki, who tried the case.
The incident occurred in June 2007 when Salisbury Police Officer J.P. Miller made a traffic stop.
He told the female driver he could smell marijuana in the car.
She told Miller she had not been smoking marijuana.
Officer M.A. Hunter approached the passenger, later identified as Lennon.
Hunter attempted to arrest Lennon, who had 37 grams of marijuana on him and a 9 mm semi-automatic pistol. When Lennon refused to be handcuffed, Salisbury Police officer R.B. Willis stepped in to assist.
Hunter struggled to get Lennon cuffed and had to use his asp, a short baton.
He struck Lennon with four blows, a report said.
He was taken to Rowan Regional, where his arm was broken during a struggle.
Lennon spit blood from his mouth onto the face, arms and chest of officer Willis, according to the report.