By Emily D. Williams

Judge Jay Westfaul referred a Batesville man to the grand jury after a preliminary hearing held in Wednesday’s session of Batesville Municipal Court.

Adricus L. Draper, 210 Arizona St., Batesville, (though the docket records show this as his address, a resident says Draper has not lived there in over seven years), was represented by Attorney David Walker for armed robbery and malicious mischief that occurred December 17, 2013.

City Prosecuting Attorney Bob Morris asked Detective George Williford, “Were you called to investigate that night?”

Williford testified, “A tenant on Tubbs Road said two men broke into her apartment and held her and her young daughter up against their will.”

“The victim said one was wearing a mask,” said Williford.

Willford said when they arrived the victim’s lip was bleeding, a flat screen tv was smashed and she was very upset.

“The one wearing the mask is the one who held her child by gun point,” he testified.

During testimony the detective said the victim said her home was a place where people would come to play cards and the reason she thought one was wearing a mask was because he knew she would recognize his face.

About six months later the victim told authorities she had names after hearing they were bragging in the neighborhood.

She had a name for the man wearing the mask and identified Draper by a photo provided as the one who broke in.

Williford said they arrested Draper on June 2014 due to probable cause to make an arrest.
“Since then he has been charged with murder,” Williford said.

The man who was wearing the mask was not charged because the victim could not identify him.
Draper is being held with no bond.

Michael L. Brassell, 2887 Nash Rd., Batesville, was referred to the grand jury for felony possession of controlled substance (cocaine), disorderly conduct-failure to comply. He also has a child support lock up order.

The judge gave him a $5,000 fine.

Brassell had old fines of $429 due since May 2013. The fines were satisfied with time served while awaiting trial.

Shoplifting
Latonya S. Williams, 1120 11th St., Lambert, entered a guilty plea to shoplifting from Walmart and false identifying information. She was fined $1,793 due in 30 days.

Era Marie Jacobs, 134 Simmons St., Water Valley, failed to appear to answer a shoplifting charge. A warrant was issued for her arrest.

Jon Gooch, 1134 CR 96, New Albany, entered a guilty plea to shoplifting prior to court and was fined $1,131.

After a short trial Brittany Defel, 104 Clinton St.., Batesville, was found not guilty of domestic violence due to reasonable doubt.

Continued
Due to court scheduling conflicts several cases were continued.

Steven M. Toliver, Skyline 135, Batesville, had a case for domestic violence-simple, disorderly conduct-failure to comply and old fines of $908.75 due since October 2010 continued at the request of Attorney David Walker.

Michelle L. Taylor, Skyline 135, Batesville, also had her case continued for domestic violence-simple assault (second offense), disorderly conduct-failure to comply and old fines of $402 that have been due since October 2013.

Ricky Lee Darby, 105 Tubbs Rd., Courtland, had a trial set for October 29 for domestic violence-simple assault at the request of his lawyer for a continuance.

Other
Jabri M. Martin, 3713 Seven Rd., Batesville, entered a guilty plea to domestic violence-simple assault and disorderly conduct. He entered the city’s work program for 13 days in lieu of paying $715 in fines.

Marcus T. Dixon, 204  Arizona, Batesville, entered a not guilty plea to shoplifting. A trial was set for November 12.

Clay Clemmons, 1198 Upton Rd., Pope, returned to court for review.

He had charges of DUI, leaving the scene of an accident and no proof of insurance remanded to the files after the city’s prosecuting attorney explained to the judge the defendant fully complied along with providing proof he enrolled in treatment.

Tickets
Telicca Lynn Daniels, 1025 Sardis Lake Dr., Batesville, was fined $370 for careless driving and no proof of insurance.

Brenda B. Rhodes, 113 North Ave., Crenshaw, was fined $368 for speeding and no proof of insurance.
Sammy Derrell Barksdale, 201 Petit St., Batesville, was fined $306 for no driver’s license.

Takeisha S. Griffin, was fined $911 for no proof of insurance and no driver’s license.