By Emily D. Williams

Judge Bill McKenzie ruled a case set for trial as a civil case and not a criminal case during Batesville Municipal Court Wednesday.

Shemar Hughes, 1330 Hadorn, Batesville, was charged with taking $476 from another  Walmart shopper as they both stood in the return line on September 2.

Affiant Tammy Lewis told the judge she was in line and had two envelopes to pay bills with.

“One envelope had $193 and other had $283. I was getting ready to pay bills,” said Lewis.
Lewis said she realized her money was missing after she later stopped at a convenience store in Sardis and pulled her wallet out.

“I turned around and went back to Batesville in ten minutes to ask if anyone had returned any money,” said Lewis.

Lewis said she was given permission to review the Walmart security video and on the tape she saw Hughes standing “two people” behind her.

“She was looking back as she picked the envelopes up,” explained Lewis after she watched the surveillance video.

Detective Jeremiah Brown  who worked the case said he also watched the video.

“In the video she is cool as a cucumber until she picks up the money and is nervous and pacing, like ‘finder’s keepers.’” said Brown.

Brown said, “She had the chance to do the right thing.”

Hughes said she “stumbled over two envelopes,” as she was in line to pay bills.

She admitted picking up the money, then shopping for “three hours and some minutes.”

“I was waiting to see if anyone would announce on the intercom there was missing money.”

“You just had a good day. You found some money,” said McKenzie.

“What did you do with the money?” McKenzie asked.

“I spent it on groceries,” said Hughes.

“I asked if I could pay $10 a month, and pay it back,” added Hughes.

“Even after finding the money she (Hughes) has made no effort to make it right. It should be handled as a civil case and you should file suit,” McKenzie told the affiant.

“This is an unusual case where facts are all there. Everyone agrees,” McKenzie said, ruling that the case should be handled in a civil court.

“It’s a moral issue,” said Detective Brown.

The judge looked at Lewis and said, “File your suit and I hope you get your money.”

Cossandra Rudd, 1321-B Hentz Rd., Pope, was referred to the grand jury for felony shoplifting and false information.

She had old fines of $1,122 due since June from her second offense shoplifting charge. She was ordered to have the fines paid in full or she would serve 30 days.

She did not have the money for her fines and she was sentenced to 30 days in jail.

James Vest, 938 Seven Rd., Batesville, had a case for public drunk dismissed.

Latifah Ellis, 410 Armstrong, Batesville, had a simple assault case dismissed and was found guilty for no child restraint.

Dominique Hamilton, 10283 Curtis Rd., Batesville, failed to appear to answer a simple assault charge.

Justin Mister, 330 Field St., Batesville, entered the city’s work program for 29 days in lieu of paying old fines of $1,325 that have been due since May 2011 and new fines of $305 for a disorderly conduct charge.

Justin Harrell, 206 Tubbs Rd., Batesville, entered a guilty plea to disorderly conduct and was fined $305.

Dareanne Davis, 425 Spain, Grenada, failed to appear to answer a shoplifting charge.

Latasha Thomas, 330 Ford Rd., Batesville, entered a not guilty plea to shoplifting from Family Dollar. A trial was set for December 14.

Jack Wilkinson, 517 McCain, Batesville, told the judge he was getting a lawyer for a shoplifting charge from Walmart.

The judge told Wilkinson to return Wednesday with a lawyer announcement.

A.C. Suggs, 202 Lester, Batesville, had a DUI-second (refusal), no proof of insurance and driving while license suspended case continued after he told the judge he was getting a lawyer.

Ronnie Robertson, 1589 Hwy. 51 North, Sardis, entered the city’s work progam for 13 days in lieu of paying old fines of $718 that have been due since March 2008.