By Emily Williams

During a case set for trial Wednesday, Batesville Municipal Court Judge Jay Westfaul found a man guilty of domestic violence-simple assault and told the defendant he had a six-month restraining order to stay away from the affiant.

Alejandro Arellan, 216 Broadway, Batesville, was ordered to pay $390 before he returns to Chicago where he said he now resides.

Affiant Laura Neiro told the judge Arellan had choked her because she didn’t want to go “back to Chicago” with him.

Her sister Mary Barrigen testified she could hear Neiro saying “she couldn’t breathe” as she knocked on the door after the incident.

Judge Westfaul explained to Arellan how the court system works and found him guilty of domestic violence.

“You had a six month restraining order when this October incident occurred,” Westfaul said as he examined the case file.

Arellan said he will reside in Chicago as his children and the mother of his children stay in Mississippi.

Cases set for trial

Sherman Kuykendall, 88 JD McKinney, Batesville, had an improper passing charge dismissed after a plea agreement and was fined $600 for DUI-first.

Micheal Atkinson, 2790 Rodeo, Abbeville, La., was fined $702 for DUI-refusal and reckless driving. He had a speeding charge withdrawn and a no proof of insurance charge dismissed.

Heather Bachor, 1661 Monty Circle, Southaven, was fined $400 for DUI-first after a plea agreement.

Cases continued

Kayla Locke, 14 Oak Acre, Batesville, had an open container case continued. She will be represented by attorney Charlie Baglan.

Christopher Chrestman, 377 Tinside, Batesville, had a case continued for DUI-refusal, open container, expired tag and careless driving. He will be represented by attorney Tom Womble.

Angela Hudson, 113 Dabney, Batesville, had a domestic violence-simple assault case continued and will be represented by Womble.

Initial appearance

Kimberly Martin, 799 Belmont, Sardis, entered a guilty plea to possession of marijuana in a vehicle. He was fined $620.

Eric Williams, 105 Goodhaven, Batesville, entered a not guilty plea to possession of marijuana in a vehicle, no seat belt and improper equipment.

A trial was set for January 6.

Jeffery Young, 143 Ford Rd., Batesville, paid his fines of $620 in full prior to court for possession of marijuana in a vehicle.

Maui Short, 1001 Lois, Joliet, Ill., had a warrant issued after failing to appear for possession of marijuana.

Robert Anderson Jr., 760 Harmon Rd., Batesville, entered a not guilty plea to domestic violence-simple assault. A trial was set for December 9.

Taylor Edwards, 4657 Johnson Cove, Memphis, Tenn., entered a not guilty plea to shoplifting. A trial was set for November 25.

Toneko Simmons, 241 MLK, Batesville, entered a guilty plea to public drunk. He was fined $300.

Marvin Brownlee, 207 Vance St., Batesville, was sentenced to “time served” for the nine days he had already served in jail for public drunk.

“If you are going to drink, stay at home,” said Westfaul.

“You seem like a nice guy when you are sober, but the police can’t handle you,” he added.

Terran Shegog, 54 Audrey Rd., Courtland, had a warrant issued for his arrest after the judge called his name several times.

He was charged with DUI-refusal, driving while license suspended, no proof of insurance and disregard for an officer.

Shegog came to court late with a toothpick hanging out of his mouth as he slouched in his chair.

“Take the toothpick out of your mouth,” Westfaul scolded after he asked why he was late to court.

“I needed a ride,” said Shegog.

“Well, you look like you have enough problems so I won’t charge you with contempt,” said Westfaul.

Shegog entered a not guilty plea to all charges and a trial was set for December 16.

Michael L. Brassell, 706 Kimbro, Marks, entered a not guilty plea to public drunk. He also had old fines of $758 that have been due since October 2008. The judge told him to have his fines paid or serve 30 days in jail.

When Brassell first approached the bench he told the judge he had no clue what he was talking about.

Brassell was already incarcerated for public drunk. The judge told him to sit back down and think about his charges as he continued through the docket.

After Brassell approached the bench again he was still confused.

“You know nothing about all of these charges?” Westfaul asked as he held up a thick stack of tickets.

“I didn’t understand,” Brassel said.

“Well you understand now. I don’t like your attitude and this whining isn’t working.” Westfaul replied.

Brassell was released from jail for the public drunk charge.

Marlon Winfield, 104 Clinton, Batesville, had old fines of $1,091 that have been due since April 2008.

The judge told him to have the fines paid within 14 days or serve six months in jail.

Jerrica Hamilton, 104 Gore St., Batesville, had old fines of $598 that have been due since June 2009.

The judge told Hamilton to have the fines paid in full by December 2 or serve 30 days in jail.

Derrick Chandler, 191 Love St., Crowder, had old fines of $657 that have been due since August 2008.

He was ordered to have the fines paid in full within 30 days or serve time in jail.

Tickets

Joseph C. Runnels, 1686 John Branch Rd., Batesville, was fined $434 for no driver’s license and improper equipment.

Cheryl S. Singleton, 305-A East, Batesville, was fined $792 for no proof of insurance and switched tag.

Michael A. Simmons, 152 Flowers Rd., Pope,  was fined $367 for driving while license suspended.

Eric P. Ingram Jr., 900 Brittany, Oxford, entered a not guilty plea to parking in a fire lane. A trial was set for Dec. 16.