Felons in two separate cases pleaded guilty and were sentenced recently.

One case involved a murder, while the second case dealt with two armed robberies.

Pablo Santiago Oliva pleaded guilty on Nov. 19 to the 2006 murder of his wife, Lourdes Oliva.

Her murder took place Nov. 8, 2006. Sheriff’s Department investigators were called out to a residence on South Beech Street to work the case. Investigation showed Pablo Oliva nearly decapitated his wife in the attack that involved a machete, according to evidence presented at Oliva’s preliminary hearing in 2006.

The couple had two children, now 10 and 12 years of age.

Oliva, now 36, was charged with the manslaughter and kidnapping of his wife, and after pleading guilty last month, was sentenced to 20 years for each charge, according to a press release from the District Attorney’s office. Those sentences will run consecutively, amounting to 40 years to be served.

In the second case, three of the suspects charged with their involvement in two armed robberies, one at the Logan’s One stop on Feb. 25, 2007 and another at the Movie Gallery on Feb. 28, 2007, pleaded guilty and were sentenced recently.

The three individuals, Frank Bridges, James Bridges and Agnes Batiste were sentenced last month in Pearl River County Circuit Court, according to a press release from the District Attorney’s office. Both Bridges’ were given 15 years for each of the two charges of armed robbery, with 10 years to serve for each charge amounting to a total of 20 years back to back. The remaining 10 years will be spent under post release supervision, the release states.

Batiste was given five years for each of her charges of conspiracy to commit armed robbery, totaling 10 years. She will spend 42 months in post release supervision after the 10 years in prison, the release states.

The incidents that led to their arrests involved the two Bridges entering Logan’s One Stop and approaching the counter as though to purchase an item. As the clerk opened the register, Frank Bridges pulled a gun, went behind the counter and assaulted the clerk. Batiste and another man, Timothy Young, were outside waiting in a car.

Three days later the group robbed the Picayune Movie Gallery. Batiste first entered the store appearing as though she would rent a video. Batiste returned to the vehicle and the two Bridges entered the store, each heading for a clerk. Young was reported to have been outside in the car in this incident as well.

One of the Bridges had a gun while the second had a knife. The pair asked for the money. After they got what they were after, they locked the employees in a closet and made their escape.

Young, then 36, of 845 Herrin Drive, was not listed as pleading guilty to his charges on the press release from the District Attorney’s office.

Assistant Attorney Manya Creel Bryan prosecuted the cases and Judge Michael Eubanks presided.