By Emily Williams

Two defendants in Batesville Municipal Court Wednesday were found guilty of domestic violence though they tried to convince Judge Bill McKenzie the wounds were caused by their dog.

Robert Spain and Brenda House, 375 Tubbs Rd., Batesville, both told the judge they were just “playing” after Officer Will Parrish and Lt. Billy Sossaman both testified they were dispatched to their home after their child called 911.

Officer Parrish testified when he arrived a child ran out of the house saying, “He’s beating my mom.”
Photos in evidence showed House had a bloody arm with scratches and other wounds on her head.

“Explain this,” the judge said as he held the photo up to the defendants.

“The dog must have thought we were hurting each other and jumped in. We were just playing,” said Spain.

“There was just a little bit of blood on my shirt,” House said.

“It wasn’t a big deal,” she said.

The officers said they took both of the defendants in for domestic violence due to their wounds.

“The evidence is overwhelming in this case. You two need to grow up and this poor child is frightened,” the judge told the couple.

Spain was fined $634;  this was his second domestic violence conviction. House was fined $404 for domestic violence– first offense.

Spain paid his old fines of $404 for his previous domestic violence charge prior to court.

Other cases
Stephanie J. Houston, 117-B Vance St., Batesville, was fined $511 for no proof of insurance and no driver’s license.

A charge of telephone harassment filed against Stephanie Houston by Alice Houston was set for trial at a later date.

Billy Middleton, 260 Greenbriar, Courtland, was given time served for the eight days he spent in jail for public drunk.

George Ards, 106 Bradford, Batesville, entered the city’s work program for 42 days in lieu of paying $2,434  for false information and old fines of $1,800 that have been due since October 2012.

Elton Turner, 109 Martinez St., Batesville, entered a not guilty plea to domestic violence-simple assault. A trial was set for February 6.

Detrikes Upshaw, 200 CR 178, Oakland, had a stalking charge dismissed after the affiant, Tammy Reeves, failed to appear. The case is a year old.

Jessica Darby, 1621 King St., Sardis, was sentenced to 30 days in jail after entering a guilty plea to shoplifting – second offense. She took six packs of invitations worth $17.04 from Wal-Mart.

She also had old fines of $1,133 that have been due since January. She told the judge she paid her fines.
McKenzie told her to find proof she paid the fines and they would check their files also.

“If I pay the fines do I have to go to jail?” she asked about the $1,133 shoplifting fine.

“You are going to pay the fine and go to jail. It’s time to stop stealing. Stealing is wrong,” the judge replied.

The judge contined the case of Chelsea D. Parmenter, 536 Hwy. 310, Como, charged with felony shoplifting and old fines of $1,133, due since January.

Cases set for trial
Thomas T. Williams Jr., 1178-A Travis Rd., Courtland, was found not guilty of simple assault after a short trial.

Samuel Wray, 11466 Hwy. 51, Courtland, had an open container charge dismissed after a plea agreement to amend a DUI-second charge to  DUI-first.

Wray was represented by attorney Tom Womble.

City prosecuting attorney Bob Morris told the judge if Wray brings proof he’s been in an AA program they will keep the plea agreement.

“If you have an alcohol problem, it’s time to straighten it out,” McKenzie said.

“I’ll approve the agreement,” the judge added.

Wray was told to report back on February 27 for the court to make the decision on keeping the agreement.

John M. Goodson, 481 Marianaa St., Memphis, was fined $250 for transient vendor violation and had a simple possession of marijuana charge dismissed.

Jonathan Savage, 248 Calvert St., Memphis, was fined $250 for transient vendor violation and had a simple possession of marijuana charge dismissed.

Both Goodson and Savage had pending charges for trespassing at Wal-Mart. Wal-Mart agreed if they signed documents saying they’d never come back to Wal-Mart, the charges could be dismissed.

Nora Crawford, 109 River Place, Marks, had a DUI-first charge amended to careless driving. She was represented by attorney Tom Womble.

Tickets
Dexter T. Callicut, 3662 Lucious Taylor Rd., Como, was fined $605 for no proof of insurance.

Marvin L. Lloyd, 335 Ranchette Acres, Batesville, was fined $205 for no proof of insurance.

The fine was reduced after he provided proof he had insurance after the ticket was issued.