[bloodrayne]

‘Jazzbo’ Sentenced To 6 Months Probation

Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania – James Jude McCarthy, 44, of East Northampton Street in , pleaded guilty and was sentenced Monday to six months probation on five counts of driving under the influence.

Luzerne County Court of Common Pleas Judge Joseph Augello also imposed $25 fines on summary offenses of harassment and criminal mischief. Additional charges of burglary and reckless endangerment were dropped. A charge of simple assault was previously thrown out at a preliminary hearing.

Police said McCarthy threw his ex-girlfriend, Jennifer Spagnola, out of a moving vehicle and then beat her at her residence May 13. Police said McCarthy, who is known professionally as Jazzbo the Clown, had been drinking and using cocaine before the incident.

Police said cocaine was found in McCarthy’s system and his blood-alcohol level was 0.095 percent. An adult driver in Pennsylvania is considered intoxicated with a level of 0.08.

McCarthy, the son of Councilman Jim McCarthy, also threatened to use political influence to harm the woman.