The Oglethorpe Echo
Diane Margaret Sykes, 57, of Maxeys was sentenced to 150 days in the county jail and 70 years of probation on April 15.
Sykes was found guilty by a jury in February of criminal attempt to commit murder, aggravated assault, aggravated battery and multiple counts of cruelty to children after attempting to kill her teenage son at the family’s home in August 2021. She was facing a 73-year maximum sentence.
“I considered everything long and hard,” Superior Court Judge Harvey Wasserman said. “The family has suffered a lot of injury. Ms. Sykes, this is not for you.”
Sykes’ husband and four children, ages 16 to 22, spoke in court in favor of Sykes remaining with the family. She has been living in the family’s home for the past nine months.
“It’s been five years — and ever since those five years, I’ve never been hurt that way ever again,” said Sykes’ now 20-year-old son, who was the victim.
A competency evaluation found Sykes competent to stand trial. A state evaluator completed a criminal responsibility evaluation in 2024 and concluded she met the legal standard for insanity, but prosecutors challenged that conclusion at trial.
“I’ve watched her claw her way back from mental illness,” said Warren Early, Sykes’ husband.
Sykes’ probation conditions include that she release all medical and counseling information and follow her parole officer’s discretion if further treatment is recommended.
“It’s a wise judge,” said Billy Olson, the defendant’s attorney. “It’s one of the most difficult cases I’ve ever handled in 20 years.”
Northern Judicial Circuit District Attorney Parks White had asked that Sykes be sentenced to 50 years, with the first 25 in confinement.
“I don’t think this reflects the gravity of the offense,” White said.