By Emily Williams

A man entering Batesville Municipal Court Wednesday was arrested as soon as he walked in the door for being intoxicated.

As Judge Jay Westfaul handled other cases, police officers took James Williams to chambers to give him a breathalizer test.

Williams told the officers he had money to pay on his old fines.

He never registered on the breathalyzer “because he wouldn’t blow,” said one of the officers.

During a case set for trial Terry Adair, 200 Fisher St., Batesville, was found not guilty of indecent exposure.

Detective Jeremiah Brown told the judge the night of the Christmas parade he was behind Dale Copeland’s Jewelry looking for possible burglaries when he saw Adair urinating on a tire.

“I asked him to stop,” Brown said.

Adair testified he didn’t know Brown was a police officer and he did relieve himself but was mad because he didn’t have his rights.

The judge looked over the statute and ruled, “I believe you had a very bad attitude with this officer. This statute states willfully and ludely exposing privates in a public place. I don’t believe it was willfully. I can’t charge you with a bad attitude,” said Westfaul.  

Justin Mister, 330 Ford, Batesville, failed to appear for two counts of simple assault and old fines of $1,630 that have been due since August 2011.

Barry Ridgeway Jr. 136-B Campground, Batesville, entered a not guilty plea to simple assault.

Kendrick Barr, 101 Martinez, Batesville, entered a not guilty plea to domestic violence-simple assault. He also had old fines of $579 that have been due since September 2010.

Bridget Roden, 221 Vance, Batesville, was sentenced to 60 days in jail for fines of $2,119 for contempt of court and possession of paraphernalia. She was given credit for the 10 days she served in jail awaiting trial.

Jermichael Joiner, 912 Brittany Dr., Oxford, entered a guilty plea to petit larceny and was fined $325.

Keatric Scott, 311 Armstrong, Batesville, failed to appear to answer charges of begging-tramps, simple assault by threat and disorderly conduct- interfering with a business.

Brandalyn Bell, 111 Oakleigh, Batesville, had old fines of $1,356 that had been due since May 2010.

“When can they be paid? They have been due a year,” stated Judge Westfaul.

“I have a thousand I can pay now,” answered Bell,

“That’s a substantial amount. I see you are trying to stay out of jail,” the judge replied,

Bell was allowed to pay and told to have the remainder paid immediately to keep from going to jail.
Omah Jones Jr., 2798- E Ruby Rd., Courtland, had contempt of court-old fines of $1,337 that have been due since June 2011.

“I’ll give you 30 days to have the fines paid in full by February 15 or you will serve time in jail,” the judge said.

Cases set for trial

Shawanda Parker, 114 Tubbs, Batesville, changed her plea to guilty before approaching the bench for shoplifting charges. She was fined $1,124 due in 30 days. She also had old fines of $134 that have been due since March 2008.

She told the judge she paid those fines. A trial was set for February 15.

Latoris Brown, 208 Claude, Batesville, was found guilty in his absence during a trial for possession of marijuana. He was fined $420.

A. Freddie Harris, 1288 Firetower, Crenshaw, was represented by Attorney David Walker during a case set for trial.

The city’s prosecuting attorney Bob Morris and Walker came to an agreement to dismiss Harris’ driving while license suspended charge. He entered guilty plea to DUI refusal-second, resisting arrest, reckless driving and failure to stop for an officer signal.

He was sentenced to 10 days in jail with two days credit for time served. He has 60 days to pay his fines of $1,923 in full.

 Nico Agate, 567 Rockhill Rd., Sardis, entered a guilty plea to loud music and was fined $152.

Tickets
Vanessa Griffin, 475 Greenbriar Circle, Courtland, was fined $1,236 for no driver’s license, expired tag and no child restraint.