Jury selection continues for Corrother’s trial
Jury selection for the double murder case against Caleb Corrothers continued this morning in Lee County. After the 15-person jury is selected, they will be brought to Lafayette County to begin the trial, possibly this afternoon. (May 17, 2011, Page 2)
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)
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)
Motions filed in double-murder case
The attorney representing Caleb Corrothers, who accused of killing a Lafayette County father and son in 2009, has filed numerous pretrial motions, including a request to move the trial out of Lafayette County. (February 2, 2011, Page 2)
Circuit drug court nears 3-year anniversary
Howorth explained what the drug court was and how it’s helping save Lafayette County residents tax dollars during an address he made Wednesday to the Oxford Kiwanis Club at Fat Cat’s Restaurant. (January 13, 2011, Page 1)
Guilty plea in beating death
Willie A. Canon, 25, was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of Lafayette County resident Derald “Pete” Connell. Canon pleaded guilty to two counts of burglary and simple murder Wednesday at the Lafayette County Courthouse. (January 6, 2011, Page 1)
New trial in Bracey case
The Mississippi Supreme Court has overturned the conviction of a former University of Mississippi student who was sentenced to life in prison for killing his girl friend in 2005.
David Jackson Williams was convicted in 2007 of killing Demetria Bracey, also a former Ole Miss student, with a knife and leaving her body in a closet for four days. Williams claimed Bracey stabbed herself as part of a suicide pact, however, he failed to go through with the act himself.
The Supreme Court ordered a new trial for Williams in a 5-4 decision Wednesday. The court ruled the trial judge, Circuit Court Judge Andrew Howorth, erred by refusing to give the jury the option of finding Williams guilty of assisted suicide. (November 10, 2010, Page 1)
Retiring judge honored
The retirement party for the Honorable Circuit Court Judge Henry L. Lackey was suppose to be a “roast and toast” event. While many of the speeches made by about 16 people about the Calhoun County judge caused a few chuckles — and even a few tears, it was Lackey himself who invoked rounds of hearty laughter as he lovingly roasted them in return.
He announced his intent to retire at a Christmas party in 2009. His term will end Dec. 31. About 300 people attended Lackey’s retirement party Thursday at the Oxford Conference Center. (November 5, 2010, Page 1A)
County appeals drug court debacle
The Lafayette County Board of Supervisors instructed county attorney David O’Donnell to file an appeal with the Mississippi Supreme Court against a final order given by a Circuit Court judge instructing them to not interfere with the operation of the county’s Drug Court.
The one-page appeal, filed Tuesday, says the supervisors are appealing the entire Final Order filed Sept. 21 by Circuit Court Judge Andrew Howorth but doesn’t list any specific parts of the order. The appeal was filed after the board voted 3 to 2 granting O’Donnell permission to file the appeal during an executive session earlier this month. Supervisors Robert Blackmon and Mike Pickens were the dissenting votes.
Howorth, who started Drug Court three years ago, filed a “cease and desist” in June against the supervisors from interfering with the operations of the Drug Court and the Circuit Court in general. Howorth claims the supervisors have continually interfered with the operations of the Circuit Court, almost from the day the current board took office in 2008. He also ordered the supervisors to comply with all reasonable requests made by and on behalf of the Drug Court pertaining to Drug Court funds administered by Lafayette County. (October 21, 2010, Page 1)
Court Briefs
Judge closes lawsuit against county
A lawsuit against former and current county officials claiming they railroaded former insurance agent Ken Nowlin into pleading guilty to crimes he didn’t commit, has been closed by a federal judge.
U.S. District Court Judge Sharon Aycock found in favor of the defendants and ordered the case closed.
UM former employee pleads
Ben Willians, a former employee of the University of Mississippi, pleaded guilty Friday for stealing more than $67,000 while working in the Dean of Students office, according to the indictment. He was sentenced to three years of unsupervised probation. (October 13, 2010, Page 2)
