By Emily D. Williams
Judge Bill McKenzie referred to the grand jury a defendant who was charged with assaulting a police officer and possession of a controlled substance, among other charges. The referral was made in Batesville Municipal Court Wednesday.

Melvin Chapple was charged with two counts of felony assault on an officer, felony possession of controlled substance, felony fleeing, driving while license suspended and expired tag.

“I want to apologize to whoever I hurt. I was high,” said Chapple.

Chapple told the judge he had been smoking crack cocaine.

“Smoking crack is a choice you made. Not an excuse,” McKenzie replied.

McKenzie explained to Chapple his case would be heard in a higher court.

His bond was set at $15,000.

Latambrise Mosley, 122 East Mill Rd., Sardis, was fined $911 for no proof of insurance and no driver’s license.

A malicious mischief charge was dismissed at the request of the affiant.

Quandra Hentz, 5855 Eureka Rd., Courtland, had a malicious mischief charge dismissed after the affiant, Issac Milton Jr., failed to appear to prosecute.

A.Z. Moore, 200 Van Voris, Batesville, entered a not guilty plea to public drunk, disorderly conduct-failure to comply and resisting arrest.

Moore said his hood was up and he was out of gas.
A trial was set for October 16.

James R. Cole, 145 Lombardy Rd., Drew, entered a not guilty plea to simple assault on affiant Stephen Red.
“It was self defense,” said Cole.
A trial was set for October 23.

Jeremy Turner, 200 Ridge Rd., Courtland, had a domestic violence-simple assault case dismissed after the affiant, LaKosha Hankins failed to appear to prosecute.

Lois T. Spain, 876 Sanders Rd., Batesville, entered a not guilty plea to domestic violence-simple assault. A trial was set for October 2.

Norman Riggs had a trial set for October 23 for domestic violence-simple, simple possession of controlled substance and disorderly conduct-failure to comply.

Deautra Jones, 126 Mt. Olive Rd., Tillatobia, failed to appear to answer a shoplifting charge. Ask One bonding company was notified.

Alright bonding company was notified after Johnathan Sartin, 226 Eureka, Batesville, failed to appear to answer charges of domestic violence-simple assault.

Ivery Pigram, 3300 Daccarett Rd., West Point, was given time served for simple possession of marijuana while on campus at Finch Henry Job Corps Center.
He served five days in jail awaiting trial and was dismissed from the program at Finch Henry Job Corps.

Mondarious Armstead, 4238 Curtis Rd., Batesville, failed to appear to answer charges of false information, loud music, open container and old fines of $3,480 that have been due since June 2011.
Warrants were issued.

Mekesha Bradford, 2241 Hwy. 51, Scobey, was previously assigned 20 days on the city’s work release program for old fines of $1,298 that have been due since January, 18, 2012.
She was sentenced to 45 days in jail.

Cases set for trial

Marcus Wheatley, 102 Magnolia Circle, Batesville, had charges of improper equipment withdrawn prior to court.

Jamie Jones, 210 Garson, Batesville, was found guilty in his absence of loud music. He was fined $162.

Jefferica Robinson, 37 CR106, Abbeville, was found guilty of obstructing a public street in her absence. Robinson was fined $155.

Alfondo Tucker, 1832 E Woodruff, Batesville, was found guilty in his absence of open container violation. He was fined $312.

Bobby R. Bradford, 209 Lester B-4, Batesville, was found not guilty of public drunk after a short trial.