By Emily D. Williams
During trial in Batesville Municipal Court Wednesday, Judge Bill McKenzie found a Batesville man not guilty of abusing members of the police department.

“This is a puzzling case. Something is underlying,” said McKenzie during the ruling.

William Reed IV, 205 Broad St., Batesville, was represented by attorney Jeff Padgett.

He was found not guilty of disorderly conduct-failure to comply and abuse of members of police department.

Reed was found guilty of public profanity and careless driving and fined $390.

Attorney Padgett started the case by saying, “I ask for dismissal of the charges due to the stop not being based on probable cause.”

Officer Jon Horton testified he was driving an unmarked police car on September 9 when Reed honked his horn at him at the red light on Hwy. 51 North.

Horton said Reed honked because the light turned green and proceeded to travel in the center turn lane while looking at him and waving his middle finger at him as he cussed him from Walgreen’s to Pamela Street.

Horton said he made a turn and pulled Reed over for careless driving.

Officer Justin Maples was called to the scene and testified he asked Reed several times to calm down. Maples said Reed complied after he threatened to use his taser.

Maples said Reed complied and cooperated once he was in his patrol car.

Chris Smith testified he was passing by when he saw Reed cussing the officer out.

“I saw him (Reed) holding his cell phone outside of his window cussing the officer,” said Smith.
The judge set an appeal bond for $1,000.

Melissa W. Dickson, 400 Anna St., Carenco, La., paid fines of $225 in full prior to court for public drunk.

Oscar Woodard, 109-C Lester, Batesville, entered the city’s work program for 17 days in lieu of paying $975 for disorderly conduct-failure to comply and resisting arrest.

Aaron Hawkins, 22700 Hwy. 51 North, Sardis, failed to appear to answer disorderly conduct-failure to comply charges. Pugh Bonding was notified.

Dominque Patterson, 318 Panola, Batesville, was sentenced to time served for his old fines of $100 that have been due since September 2014.

Randall McCarty Jr., 566 Herron Rd., Courtland, was found guilty in his absence on charges of disorderly conduct-failure to comply and public profanity.

Courtney McCullar, 157 Wildwood Dr., Batesville, had a case for shoplifting continued.

Morgan Parducci, 645 Daughtery St.,  Coldwater, had a possession of marijuana  in a vehicle charge reduced to simple possession of marijuana and was fined $430. He was represented by attorney Jeff Padgett.