By Emily Williams

Overwhelming evidence proved a young Water Valley man guilty of shoplifting during Batesville Municipal Court Wednesday.

During a case set for trial Octavious Benson, 720 Davidson, Water Valley, had nothing to say after he watched video of himself stealing a pair of jeans and a shirt from Burke’s Outlet Store.

Affiant Valare Mackey of Burke’s told the judge she had been employed there for over eight years.

She told the judge she was suspicious of Benson when he and two unidentified females entered the store.
She said his extra baggy clothes made her suspicious.

The video footage zoomed on Benson stealing items as everyone including Benson’s mother watched him stealing items, sticking them under his coat and into his pants.

Benson had shoplifting charges in past and told the judge he was being held for MDOC for receiving stolen property.
He was sentenced to 30 days in jail.

“I find the proof in this case is overwhelming. I am concerned because you have been charged with shoplifting before,” McKenzie said.

“You will end up in penitentiary the third time,” McKenzie warned.

Benson cried the entire trial.

He was fined $1,124.

Barbara Hamilton 105 Lester St., Batesville, was found not guilty of simple assault after the affiant, Zelethia Roseborough, failed to appear to prosecute.

Latisha Curry, 111 Terry Ave., Crenshaw, was found not guilty of malicious mischief.

Kenyada C. Smalley, 210 Pearson, Batesville, had a trial set for April 11 false information and possession of paraphernalia.

Brittany Haire, 114 Three Wheeler, Enid, had a trial set for April 11 for possession of marijuana in a vehicle.

Eric Smith, 878 Fox Gates, Marks, entered a not guilty plea to embezzlement from Kroger. A trial was set for April 11. He also had old fines of $1,238 that have been due since May 2011. The judge told him to have the fines paid in full by his court date or serve time in jail.

Crystal G. Long, 392 Union Rd., Sardis, entered a guilty plea to shoplifting from Wal-Mart. She entered a not guilty plea to stealing a bikini from Gena’s Cuts N Tans.
A trial was set for April 18.

Annetta Johnson, 107 MLK, Batesville, was fined $1,065 for DUI and no driver’s license. She had old fines of $534 that have been due since October 2008.  

She told the judge she paid all of her fines to her attorney, David Walker.
McKenzie continued her case so she could return with proof she paid the fines.

Justin Mister, 330 Ford Rd., Batesville, was sentenced to 90 days in jail for old fines of $1,804 that have been due since August 2011.

He was fined $625 for false information given to police in March and false information in February. He previously failed to work or show up on the city’s work program he was previously assigned to for 29 days and repeatedly failed to come to court.

“You won’t work, you won’t pay your fines, you lie, what should we do?” the judge asked.

“What would you do if you were the judge?” he added.
“I am sentencing you to 90 days in jail because you won’t do right.”

George Mister Jr., 101 Flowers, Pope, was found guilty of possession of marijuana in a vehicle after Officer Stonestreet testified in Mister’s absence. He was fined $650.

Patrick Johnson, 1794 John Branch Rd., Batesville, had a charge for improper tag display withdrawn at the officer’s request.

Tickets

Kenard C. Washington, 267 Love, Crowder, was fined $152 for loud music.