By Emily D. Williams
A Sledge man was off the hook in Batesville City Court Wednesday when his friend took the blame for marijuana found in the defendant’s vehicle April 28.

Judge Bill McKenzie amended a possession of marijuana charge filed against Curtis Rankins, 770 Third St., Sledge, after Lamont Brown appeared voluntarily to tell the judge the marijuana was his. The arresting officer agreed with amending the charge.

Rankins entered a guilty  plea to no seat belt and was fined $35.

Richard Williams, 432 Tubbs Rd., Batesville, was referred to the grand jury for felony possession of controlled substance.

Eric Henderson, 818 Bethlehem Rd., Batesville, was referred to the grand jury for felony possession of controlled substance, careless driving and improper equipment. His bond was set at $2,500.

Jeremy Parker, 114 Patterson St., Batesville, entered a not guilty plea to false information and open container. A trial was set for May 22.
Parker was almost marked as a failure to appear until he approached the bench after court was over.

William Lohrman, 256 Wells Rd., Courtland, entered a guilty plea to possession of marijuana. He was fined $428.

Vondarius Strong, 107 Cedar Crest, Batesville, entered a guilty plea to possession of marijuana in vehicle and no seat belt. He was fined $703.

Willie Benson Jr., 3376-A Eureka Rd., Batesville, entered a not guilty plea to stalking Affiant Rosheedan Benson.

A trial was set for May 22.
Cleveland Thomas, 200 King St., Batesville, had a case for simple assault dismissed after the affiant, Lillie Doyle, failed to appear to prosecute. The case dated back to October 2011.
Cases set for trial

Angela Chapman, 6084 Curtis Rd., Batesville, paid her old fines of $250 that have been due since August 2011. The judge dismissed a charge of petit larceny after hearing testimony from the defendant and the affiant, Patricia Williams, who said Chapman had stolen an air conditioner from her.

Williams testified that Chapman lived in a home she rented from Williams’ cousin, Tammy Blunt, who is now deceased.

“She passed away last May and she trusted me,” Williams testified as she explained why she is now the landlord of the property.
Williams, along with a witness, Louise Rose, told the judge that Chapman took an air conditioner from the home after she was evicted.

“Who owns the air conditioner?” McKenzie asked Williams.

“Tammy would have owned it, but now me,” she answered.

Judge McKenzie asked Williams if she had a deed showing the property is in her name.
Williams provided a deed but the judge noticed it was not signed.
Chapman said she could only fit her clothes in the car and an air conditioner wouldn’t have fit.

“I am not a thief,” she said.

“This is a property possession case. This may be a civil charge and needs to be heard in Chancery Court,” McKenzie said.

Other cases

Rodrigues A. Taylor, 101 Goodhaven, Batesville, was found not guilty of possession of controlled substance (marijuana) after a short trial.

Taylor explained to the judge he was the passenger of the car and the driver previously entered a guilty plea to the marijuana possession.

Samuel Wray, 11466 Hwy. 51, Courtland, was represented by attorney Tom Womble for DUI-second and driving while license suspended.
He entered a guilty plea and was sentenced to 10 days in jail along with a fine of $1,933. A charge of improper equipment was dismissed.

Tickets
Kristen Alred, 316 Bolton Rd., Pope, was fined $205 for speeding and was given a lower fine for no proof of insurance after showing she purchased insurance after the ticket was issued.

Antonio D. Austin, 3489 Curtis Rd., Batesville, was fined $162 for loud music.

Earnest M. Townes II, Batesville, was fined $381 for driving while license suspended.

Bronjase Willingham, 210 Pearson, Batesville, was fined $381 for driving while license suspended.

Terry T. Harris, 1305 Gaston Dr., Southaven, was fined $169 for speeding.

Belman Smith, 203 First St., Marks, was fined $306 for no driver’s license.

James K. Parker, 114 Patterson St., Batesville, was fined $212 for expired tag.

Christopher Ladd, 123 Arizona, Batesville, was fined $306 for no driver’s license.