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)
David J. Williams out on bond
David Jackson Williams, 28, is at home in Olive Branch with family after posting a $100,000 bond at about 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon. He was convicted in 2008 in the stabbing death of Demetria Bracey of Jackson three years before. The Supreme Court granted him a new trial in December ruling that the trial judge erred by not giving the jury the option of finding Williams guilty of assisted suicide. Since the conviction was overturned, the presumption of innocence returns to Williams and was granted bond. A new trial date has been set for Oct. 17. (March 23, 2011, Page 1)
Miss. bar drops Scruggs’ complaint against attorney
The Mississippi Bar has dismissed a complaint filed against attorney Tony Farese by one of his former clients — Zach Scruggs, who was one of several local attorneys who served time in prison for their rolls in a judicial bribery attempt. (March 22, 2011, Page 2)
Lawsuit filed by dog owner against Humane Society
An Oxford man is suing the Oxford-Lafayette Humane Society for more than $4,000 saying his family was put under duress when his dog went missing and wound up at the animal shelter. (March 18, 2011, Page 2A)
