Education briefs
- Kayla Sue Mize fundraiser this week
- Consolidated federal programs application review for Oxford and Lafayette
- BES announces citizens of the month
- McCormick honored by Mississippi College
- Carwyle receives scholarship
- Locals graduate from Delta State
- OE names Shining Stars
- Freeman graduates from Carson-Newman
- Suggs-Brigety prepares for summer fellowship
- Tucker places at SkillsUSA state competition
- FFA helps storm victims
- Della Davidson students prepare messages of hope
- OHS 76 class reunion
- Yocona 61 class reunion
- Yocona School reunion for all classes
Sturm Und Drang
Americans are now experiencing tremendous storm and stress – or Sturm und Drang, as the Germans call it. Local columnist Jimmy Reed writes about the challenges we’ve faced through the years, and notes that we should use the upcoming Memorial Day holiday to honor those who gave on battlefields – but also those who fought and won economic and natural wars on the home front. (May 24, 2011, Page 4)
Couple turn love of antiques into livlihood
Taylor couple turn overflow of antique furniture into a business. (May 23, 2011, Page 5)
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)
Local high schools graduate hundreds
Lafayette and Oxford High Schools held their graduation ceremonies last weekend with both having student speakers that noted a serious theme: the fragile nature of life and the importance of making the most of the brief time they have. (May 23, 2011, Page 1,)
911, 411, 811 not the only quick dial numbers
Most of us have dialed 4-1-1 on our phones to get someone’s number. We’ve been taught to dial 9-1-1 in case of an emergency. And we’ve heard about how you should “call 8-1-1 before you dig.” Did you know, though, that there are other quick dial numbers. Editor Don Whitten shares what he’s learned about 211, 311, 511 and others. (May 23, 2011, Page 4)
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)
Corrother’s mother pleads for son’s life
Blog: Vonda Corrothers Agulanna asked the jury this morning to spare her son’s life during the sentencing phase of his trial. Caleb Corrothers was found guilty of two counts of capital murder Thursday night for shooting and killing Frank and Taylor Clark in July 2009.
Vonda told the jury she wasn’t able to do for her kids the way she would have liked due to a serious bought of depression when Caleb was a young child. She said Caleb’s father was never in the picture he grew up in a bad neighborhood around drug dealers with no father figure.
Caleb’s brother, Marcus Corrothers also spoke at the hearing. Marcus is serving a 20-year-sentence for armed robber. He made no pleas for his brother’s life. He said he felt Caleb followed in his footsteps and looked up to him since he was six years older than Caleb.
The state revealed Caleb has just gotten out of prison after a 10-year-sentence for armed robbery when he shot and killed the Clarks.
Tonya Clark, who was shot in the neck twice by Corrothers, said she has a large void in her life since losing her son and husband.
Both mothers cried openly while on the witness stand. Agulanna spoke to Tonya and the Clark family sitting in the courtroom. Sobbing, she said she was very sorry for what happened to them and empathized with Tonya about losing a son.
More testimony is expected this afternoon on Corrother’s past and personality. (May 20, 2011)
Corrothers guilty of killing 2
After deliberating for two hours, the 12-person jury in the case against Caleb Corrothers found him guilty of two counts of capital murder and one count of aggravated assault for the 2009 shooting and killing of Frank Clark and his son, Taylor Clark, and the shooting and wounding Tonya Clark, the wife and mother of the two murdered men. He is being sentenced today. (May 20, 2011, Page 1A)
