Judge dismisses simple assault charges from road rage incident

By Ashley Crutcher
Batesville Municipal Judge Judge William McKenzie on Wednesday dismissed cross-filed simple assault charges after both sides failed to prove without a reasonable doubt that the crime was committed against them.
Jason Morgan of 1723 Sanders Road, Sardis, was charged with malicious mischief after admitting to breaking the door handle on the affiant’s vehicle during an altercation that took place on Christmas day last year.
Jeffrey Skelton of 130 Johnson Street, Batesville was charged with simple assault by threat which was dismissed. Both sides reported the altercation started after Mr. Skelton cut off Mr. Morgan’s wife in traffic.
The altercation apparently escalated as Mrs. Morgan got out of her vehicle and walked over to the Skelton’s vehicle to question his reasoning behind cutting her off. Mr. Skelton admitted to seeing Mrs. Morgan upset and getting a pistol.
“I saw how upset she was, I don’t know y’all, so I got my pistol,” Skelton said in court. “I wasn’t gonna get out because I didn’t want any other problems. I did have my gun out but there wasn’t one in the chamber.”
“When my wife told me he had a gun I snapped,” Morgan said.  “I was wrong pulling on the door. I’ll admit where I was wrong and I’m willing to pay for the damages. I’m just glad it wasn’t worse than it was.”
Judge McKenzie dismissed both simple assault by threat charges, citing lack of proof.
Mr. Morgan was found guilty of malicious mischief and fined $328 and was ordered to pay restitutions for the damages to the Skeltons’ car.
Jerrica Hamilton of 218 Broadway Street, Batesville, pleaded guilty to improper equipment for a blown headlight but brought paperwork showing where the headlight was replaced.
She pleaded not guilty to telephone profanity where she allegedly made obscene and lude threats regarding “cutting someone’s head off and busting someone’s head.”
“It was over my child. I said it, but I’m not guilty of meaning it. It’s gonna be shown that I’m not guilty,” said Hamilton.
Hamilton stated the incident started when she fired her child’s babysitter, resulting in a dispute with that person. A trial date has been set for March 22.
Judge McKenzie advised Hamilton to take care of old unpaid fines from July of 2016 in the amount of $606.
“If this isn’t taken care of you’re going to serve,” he said.
Ralph T. Robinson of 409 ½ Armstong Street, Batesville, pleaded not guilty to simple assault. The charge alleges that he threatened to kill Jerry Hubrins and shot a gun in the air within city limits.
“I told Jerry I was gonna get him and to leave my wife alone,” Robinson said. “He was trying to get with my wife and you don’t mess with another man’s wife. So I told him I was gonna get him,” said Robinson.
“What do you mean ‘get him’?” asked McKenzie. “You gonna take him to Sunday School? What do you mean?”
“I wasn’t trying to threaten him, I just wanted to warn him, sh**,” said Robinson.
A trial date has been set for March 22.
Nina Whiteside of 120 S Main Street, Water Valley, was charged with simple assault for slinging bodily fluids onto another person.
“I took out my IV and slung blood on one of the nurses,” said Whiteside.
The case was dismissed as the affiant failed to appear to prosecute.
Brenda K. Jackson of 303 Railroad Street, Como, was charged with contempt of court-failure to pay old fines from November of 2014 in the amount of $2,292.
“You’ve had over two years to pay. It’s time to step up and do something. We’ll see you next Wednesday. You better pay it or be ready to serve it,” said Judge McKenzie.
Jarmain Johnson of 5589 Lucius Taylor Road, Como, was charged with contempt of court-failure to pay old fines from June of 2014 in the amount of $1,131.
“It’s hard to get all that money at one time because y’all won’t take payments,” said Johnson.
“This is from almost three years ago,” McKenzie said. ”You could have stuck back $200 a month and had it paid. Be back next week with the money to pay or be ready to serve,” said McKenzie.
Jessica Dalton of 1477 Peavine Road, Coldwater, was charged with contempt of court-failure to appear to face a shoplifting charge from February 2015.
“I have trouble breathing and was in the hospital. I got no notice to be in court,” said Dalton.
She was advised her court date was on the bond paperwork she received upon bonding out of jail.
“This is part of learning. Figure out how to pay it in 60 days,” said Judge McKenzie.
Dalton is facing a $1,146 fine.
Christy Griffin of 18713 Highway 51 N, Batesville, pleaded not guilty to simple possession of a controlled substance.
“I had my suboxine in my wallet, because the box was too big to fit in my purse,” she told the judge. “I have my prescription and a statement showing how much I made because they took my money too,” said Griffin.
The case will go to trial March 1.
Shaquita Milam of 131 Milam Road, Batesville, pleaded guilty to providing false information, speeding, no proof of insurance and driving while license was suspended.
“They said I was speeding but I don’t think I was,” Milam told the judge. “They said my driver’s license was suspended but I never got a notice.”
Milam has 30 days to pay the $1,782 fine.
Tony Adams of 140 Gregory Circle, Lambert, pleaded guilty to simple possession of marijuana and improper equipment for a broken windshield. Adams has 30 days to pay the $598 fine.
Daiwan Richardson of 368 Shiloh Road, Batesville, pleaded guilty to simple possession of a controlled substance and has 30 days to pay the $443 fine.
Erikka T. Nelson of 122 Oakleigh Drive, Batesville, was charged with malicious mischief on June 25, 2016 after allegedly disfiguring a gold Malibu. The charges were dropped by the affiant and the case was dismissed.
Allison Cox of 9627 Highway 51 S, Courtland, pleaded not guilty to disorderly conduct and simple assault after allegedly reaching across the counter and grabbing a McDonald’s employee during a business transaction. Cox has old unpaid fines in the amount of $177 and was advised to take care of the old fines. A trial date was set for March 15.
Richard Caine Jr. of 2587 Belmont Road, Sardis, pleaded not guilty to simple assault after allegedly attempting make the affiant fear for her life.
“I’m not guilty,” Caine said. “I said some things to her because she ran a stop sign. She put me in fear for my life.“
The case will go to trial March 15.
The judge dismissed a charge of simple assault filed against Jessie Simmerman III of 750 Jamison Road, Marks, after no one appeared to prosecute.
Simmerman told the judge that the wrong person was charged with the crime. Simmerman was advised he would be refunded the money he paid to bond out.
James K. Barber of 11427 Hadorn Road, Batesville, failed to appear to answer charges for simple assault.
Larry Boling of 466 Morris Lane, Batesville, was charged with simple domestic violence. The case was dismissed as the affiant failed to appear.
Michaile L. Moore of 6181 Eureka Road, Courtland, was charged with petit larceny after he allegedly stole an air compressor. The case was dismissed after no one appeared to prosecute.
Johnny B. Wiley of 107 East Oak Hill Cove, Batesville, was charged with petit larceny after allegedly stealing ceiling fans approximately two years ago. The case was dismissed after the affiant failed to appear.
Karen Hipp of 251 Providence Road, Grenada, was charged with DUI first and improper parking. She stated she was going to be represented by a lawyer but was unable to recall his name. Hipp was advised to return next week with the name of her lawyer.
Willie M. Bradford of 128 Vance Street, Batesville, pleaded guilty to DUI-refusal and decided to go to driving school.
Rodney L. Johnson of 148 Shiloh Road, Courtland, pleaded guilty to DUI-refusal, driving while license suspended, failing to stop, speeding and no proof of insurance. Johnson has 30 days to pay the $2,090 fine.
Marlon Tucker Jr. of 1229 Heffner Road, Batesville was charged with felony burglary. His case will be heard in Circuit Court.
Kini S. Bradford of 12709 Highway 51, Oakland, was charged with felony embezzlement and will face the grand jury.
O’Shandra Moorehead of 709 Sunny Street, Charleston, was charged with felony embezzlement and will face the grand jury.
Fredrick Ards of 1612 Sledgefield, Southaven, was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, possession  of marijuana in a motor vehicle, and running a stop sign. The case will be heard in Circuit Court. Ards also as unpaid old fines in the amount of $539.
Torrye Hughes of 221 Baker Street, Batesville, was charged with driving on the wrong side of the road and no driver’s license. The case has been remanded to the files.
Robert H. Brewer of 95 Goodwin Road, Marks, was charged with DUI first. The case will be continued.