NATCHEZ &045; James Winding was convicted Tuesday in Adams County Circuit Court of a kidnapping and sexual battery that took place last year in Adams and Wilkinson counties.

Judge Lillie Blackmon Sanders sentenced Winding to the maximum of 30 years for each count, which will be served concurrently.

&uot;The good people of Adams County did the job,&uot; said Adams County District Attorney Ronnie Harper. &uot;They delivered justice, in my opinion.&uot;

The sexual assault took place during the evening of Sept. 28, 2002, in rural Wilkinson County near the intersection of Doloroso Loop Road and Sarah Jensen Road.

Winding had abducted the victim at gunpoint on Sergeant S. Prentiss Drive near Natchez High School earlier that night.

After the assault, Winding left the victim naked at the scene. The victim walked about half a mile to a house and asked for help.

Winding was arrested on Oct. 2, four days after the crimes occurred. Winding, who recently moved to Natchez from Springfield, Ill., was turned in by his own grandmother. According to Harper, she became suspicious after reading about the crimes in The Natchez Democrat.

The trial occurred in Natchez because the crime began within the city limits.

The trial began at 9 a.m. Tuesday and ended the same day, with the jury rendering its verdict at 6:30 p.m.

That didn’t surprise Harper. He believed the case had all the elements necessary for conviction.

&uot;We felt like the evidence was overwhelming,&uot; Harper said. &uot;The Natchez Police Department conducted a top-notch investigation.&uot;

Out of five witnesses that took the stand for the prosecution, Harper said he was particularly pleased with the victim. He has a mild learning disability, but his consistent testimony was key to the case.

&uot;These cases are always important to usŠ when we are protecting our more vulnerable citizens,&uot; said Assistant District Attorney Tom Rosenblatt, who assisted Harper during the trial.

The victim was also helpful in the investigation, taking police to the crime scene. There, critical evidence was discovered, including Winding’s dentures.

The victim also remembered details about Winding’s car, allowing for a quick identification.

He remembered the make and color of the car, a red Ford Mustang, and the fact that Winding wore blue socks during the assault. A pair of socks covered with dirt were found in the vehicle.

The defense did not call any witnesses. Attorney Kevin Colbert said he did not believe the state had proven its case beyond a reasonable doubt.

&uot;We thought we put up a good defense,&uot; Colbert said. &uot;But the jury did not agree, so we have to live with their decision.&uot;

According to Harper, the defense asserted that the victim had consensual sex with Winding in exchange for money.

&uot;They even tried to float out there that he (Winding) stiffed him Š that they had some kind of altercation and he left the victim out there,&uot; Harper said. &uot;This was the question the jury had to decide.&uot;

The Natchez Democrat does not name victims of sexual assault.