A defendant in Batesville City Court on Wednesday pleaded guilty to shoplifting a pair of Reebok shoes from Factory Brand Shoes on January 24. Shenika Brown of 367 S. Laura St., Webb, was fined $595, due in 30 days.
Judge Bill McKenzie told Brown, "Do this again, come back in here and you’re going to jail."
Contempt of Court
Two defendants came before Judge McKenzie to answer charges of contempt of court for failure to pay previously imposed fines.
Melvin Short of 706 Letha Wiley, Sardis, told the judge he would pay his fine of $1,175 within 30 days. Judge McKenzie suspended a 90-day jail sentence provided Short pays his fine on time.
Brian Griffin of 2446 Barnacre Rd., Batesville, paid a fine of $525, which he has owed since October.
DUI
James D. Johnson of 203 Draper St., Batesville, paid in full prior to court total fines of $1,766 for DUI (refusal) and no proof of insurance.
Other charges
A charge of embezzlement was remanded to the court files at the request of the affiant, a manager for the Sherwin Williams paint store.
The defendant, Justin Bright of 1601 Henderson Road, Batesville, had been a model employee for four years and had returned the money in question, the manager said.
Judge McKenzie complied with the store manager’s request and no action was taken.
Four people were ordered to pay fines for failure to have proof of insurance for their vehicles.
Mississippi law requires operators of automobiles to have in the vehicle proof that it is insured. The four had purchased insurance after they were stopped. Judge McKenzie reduced the fines from $1055 (no insurance) to $155 (no proof of insurance).
Ordered to pay the lesser fines were: Amanda M. McClain of 562 Meadowview Dr., Batesville; Joseph Morris of 21374 Highway 6 East, Batesville; Cynthia R. Pugh of 190 Cammile St., Sardis; and Ular C. Smith of 9805 Shell Rd., Batesville.
Judge McKenzie dismissed a "no proof" ticket issued to Annie M. Owens of 108 Jackson St., Batesville, after Owens showed proof that she had insurance when stopped.
He also dismissed a "no insurance" charge against Bennie Lee Young of 209 Kent St., Winona, who, on January 28, had the misfortune of being involved in an accident as he was driving away from the bank in the car he had just purchased.
The judge allowed Officer Michael Roberts to withdraw an improper equipment ticket issued to Christopher D. Nesbit of 204 Deaton St., Batesville, after being satisfied that the loud pipes had been modified.
Edward G. Barber of 2009 Van St., Tupelo, was found guilty of leaving the scene of an accident and was fined $160, due in 30 days.
Norah James Pugh of 223-C Gin Rd., Batesville, asked for and received an extension on the deadline for payment of a previously imposed fine of $380. It is due February 28.
Continued cases
Cindy J. Anderson of 116 Ivy Gordon, Courtland, is to appear in city court February 16 on charges of driving while her license is suspended and improper equipment. She told the judge she was unaware her license had been suspended, and he gave her time to investigate the problem.
Judge McKenzie set a trial date of February 23 for Jayson Dishmon of 428 Taylor St., Como. He is charged with shoplifting a $9.99 movie from Movie Gallery. He pleaded not guilty.
Lonnie Fuqua of 200 Calvary, Batesville, will come to court February 23 for a trial on charges of DUI (refusal) and no tag. He has pleaded not guilty.
