Better luck next year
Two bills aimed at fighting crime failed to garner enough support to get passed by lawmakers in Jackson during this recently ended legislative session. Both proposed measures were supported by local legislators and law enforcement officials. (April 22, 2011, Page 1A)
Two plead guilty in beating death
The last two of four men charged with beating and killing Derald “Pete” Connell have pleaded guilty. Douglas W. Jones, 22, and Justin Eugene Montez, 26, were sentenced Wednesday to life in prison with the possibility of parole for their role in the deadly beating. Also pleading guilty Wednesday in unrelated cases were Oxford attorney Michael Wall for two counts of cocaine possession and Lou Ann White for beating her husband, Henry White, to death last year. (April 21, 2011, Page 1)
Autry pleads guilty
Bilethon Autry pleaded guilty Wednesday to charges of manslaughter and aggravated assault on law enforcement officers for shooting and killing his brother during a three-hour standoff with police in September 2009 in the Grand Oaks subdivision. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison for manslaughter with six years suspended and an additional 15 years for shooting at police. He will serve 24 years before being released. (April 21, 2011, Page 1)
Exchange Club honors local trooper
Highway Patrol Trooper Cory Burrow was given the Trooper of the Year Award by the Oxford Exchange Club on Thursday. Burrow leads the state with the most DUI and felony arrests in the last two years. (April 15, 2011, Page 2A)
Warrant issued in Hashman case
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Ole Miss cheerleader Johnny Beasley for his involvement in a fight with former Rebel baseball player Taylor Hashman. After a grand jury failed to produce an indictment for aggravated assault in March, Hashman filed paperwork against Beasely at the Oxford Police Department this week. Beasley is facing a simple assault charge, which is a misdemeanor. Beasley is expected to turn himself in next week and will then be granted an appearance in city court to face the charges. (more…) (April 8, 2011, Page 6A)
OPD conducts field sobriety testing
While getting drunk in front of a room full of police officers wouldn’t normally be a good idea, five volunteers did just that Wednesday during a Standardized Field Sobriety Test school held at the Oxford Police Department. (April 7, 2011, Page 2)
Illusions busted for selling alcohol without permit
The owner of the popular nightclub Illusions Sports Bar and Grill has been charged with selling alcohol without a permit, according to the Alcohol Beverage Control’s Enforcement Agency. The club remains open, however it can only sell nonalcoholic beverages. (March 31, 2011, Page 2)
Man sentenced to 9 years for burning bar
Wayne Allen Stoker, 45, of Oxford was sentenced Monday by District Judge Neal B. Biggers to serve 108 months — or nine years — following his guilty plea in 2010 where he admitted to knowingly and maliciously damaging and destroying The Dam Bar by means of fire. He will be placed on three years of supervised release after his sentence in completed. Biggers also ordered Stoker to pay $211,000 in restitution. In court, Stoker admitted his motivation was racial hatred. (March 30, 2011, Page 1)
Judge moves hearing date for younger Scruggs
A U.S. District Court judge has moved the hearing date for Zach Scruggs to attempt to vacate his conviction for his role in a judicial bribery scheme to May 23. (March 29, 2011, Page 2)
Trial for double murder slated for May
The trial of Caleb Corrothers, who is accused of killing a father and son in 2009, has been scheduled for May. Jurors will be selected from Lee County and the trial will be held in Lafayette County. (March 24, 2011, Page 2)
