Scruggs files to vacate conviction
Richard “Dickie” Scruggs filed a motion Thursday to vacate his conviction and sentence in the judicial bribery case involving former Hinds Circuit Court Judge Bobby Delaughter, despite the fact he pleaded guilty to the crime in 2009. The case is often referred to as “Scruggs II,” since Scruggs was previously convicted of trying to bribe retired Lafayette Circuit Court Judge Henry Lackey in an unrelated case, dubbed “Scruggs I.”
Read Friday’s Oxford EAGLE for the complete story. (June 23, 2011)
UPD gets new look to vehicles
University of Mississippi Police Department spruces up its vehicles in an effort to be move visible on campus. (June 20, 2011, Page 1)
Adams one step closer to U.S. Attorney position
Felicia Adams is one step closer to being appointed as the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Mississippi after a Senate Judicial Committee approved her appointment. (June 10, 2011, Page 2A)
City Grocery manager held at gunpoint
City Grocery assistant manager Terry Moon reported he was held at gunpoint Saturday night on his way home. (May 31, 2011, Page 2)
Businessman will spend day in jail
Former Oxford businessman Dino Jerry Grisanti was sentenced Thursday to spend one day in jail and pay a $7,500 fine after he pleaded guilty in October to a $2 million bank fraud scheme. (May 27, 2011, Page 2A)
Crime on the decline
Preliminary FBI figures for 2010 show crime is down from 2009 across the nation. Oxford seems to be following a similar trend. (May 25, 2011, Page 1)
Balducci testifies at judicial bribery hearing
The man who got the ball rolling that would eventually knock down several local attorneys testified for more than four hours Monday at the hearing where former attorney Zach Scruggs’ hopes to clear his name
The hearing is expected to last several days. (May 24, 2011, Page 1)
Corrothers gets death
A 12-person jury decided Friday Caleb Corrothers should “suffer death” for shooting and killing father and son, Frank and Taylor Clark, in July 2009. The jury had the choice of sentencing Corrothers to the death penalty of life in prison without parole. (May 23, 2011, Page 1)
Jury sends Corrothers to death row
Blog: A female juror openly wept as Circuit Court Judge Andrew Howorth read the jury’s verdict sentencing Caleb Corrothers to the death sentence.
Corrothers was convicted Thursday night of killing Frank and Taylor Clark and wounding Tonya Clark in July 2009 in the Clark’s home off Bell River Road.
Corrothers was out on parole for six weeks when he killed the Clarks, apparently over drugs and money. He has served 10 years in prison on four counts of armed robbery.
Defense attorneys tried to convince the jury that Corrothers’ bad childhood, living in poverty and without a father figure, set him on a path that led him to the courtroom facing the death penalty. The state told the jury it was just excuses and that Corrothers should be held responsible for the choices he’s made. (May 20, 2011)
Jury deliberates to decide sentence
Blog: The jury went into deliberations at about 5 p.m. and are still out deciding whether Caleb Corrothers will be put on death row or spend the rest of his life in prison.
The jury heard testimony from Corrother’s former teacher and a psychologist this afternoon before both sides rested around 3 p.m. Circuit Court Judge Andrew Howorth gave jury instructions and then Assistant District Attorney Ben Creekmore presented the closing arguments for the state while Kelsey L. Rushing with the Mississippi Office of the Capital Defense Counsel presented arguments for the defense. (May 20, 2011)
