By Emily Williams
Judge Bill McKenzie denied bond to a Batesville man who had felony charges during Batesville Municipal Court held Wednesday.

Maurice O. Miles, 4238 Curtis Rd., Batesville, was charged with possession of a firearm by a felon.

“This court does not handle felony cases. Do you have any questions?” McKenzie asked.
Miles told the judge, “some guys tried to rob me and I took the gun from the juveniles. The gun didn’t even have bullets,” Miles said.

He told the judge he was on parole for the same type charges in 2005 but “different situation.”
“I can get my probation officer to contact the court,” Miles said.

Detective Jeremiah Brown explained to the judge that the firearm in Miles’ possession had an altered serial number and that is the reason ATF is involved with the case along with it being federal.

After the judge denied bond Miles insisted they speak to his probation officer.
“I spoke to your new probation officer,” Brown said.

“New officer?” Miles asked, confused.

He was released back into the custody of the jail. The case was referred to the grand jury.
Theron L. Hervey Jr., 204 Panola Ave., Batesville, returned to court on burglary of an occupied dwelling and grand larceny by breaking into a home on Harmon Road while the female resident was there on September 15, taking a 46-inch TV, jewelry box and jewelry valued over $1,000.
Hervey asked for a hearing last week after telling the judge he wanted Officer Justin Maples in court.

“I was at work. My boss said I was,” Hervey said.

Maples was in training classes and was unable to testify last week.

Maples told the judge he did speak to Hervey’s boss, saying couldn’t confirm whether Hervey was at work that day or not.

“This court does not have jurisdiction of felony cases. We do probable cause and bond,” McKenzie said.

“Is your family getting you an attorney?” the judge asked. “I can’t find you guilty or not guilty. You can see if your family will get you an attorney or sign a wavier to go to circuit court,” McKenzie explained after Hervey refused to sign his waiver.

Hervey’s mother walked up to the bench and said, “We were told to get a public defender.”
“Does he have a car or anything to sell?” McKenzie asked.

After Hervey’s mother said, “no,” the judge appointed attorney David Walker.
The case was continued until the court hears from his lawyer.

Hervey’s bond was $200,000.

Anthony Flowers, 226 Noble, Batesville, entered a not guilty plea to public drunk. A trial was set for Wednesday.

Marico C. Toliver, 319 Green Circle, Sardis, paid his cash fine of $646 prior to court for discharging a firearm in city limits.

Kerrance Patterson, 67-A Alred Rd., Courtland, was fined $575 after entering guilty pleas to simple possession of marijuana and operating an ATV on public streets. He also had old fines of $777.50 due since November 2013.

He told the judge he didn’t have his old fines paid because he was going through a divorce and he was incarcerated.

Records showed Patterson was incarcerated June – August 2014.

“What am I looking at? I am confused. What does this have to do with you not paying your fines?” McKenzie asked.

“I was going through a divorce,” Patterson replied..

“A divorce is not a reason to be put in jail or owe fines. What are the criminal charges?” McKenzie replied.

“How long have you been in jail?” McKenzie asked.

Patterson had been in jail for 17 days.

He admitted to the judge he was charged with domestic violence-third and that’s why he was in jail in 2014.

“You still owe these fines,” McKenzie said.

Patterson was ordered to work his fines off on the city’s work release program for 10 days starting immediately and was given time served to satisfy the rest of the fines for the 18 days he sat in jail awaiting trial.

“I want you to have a clean record. Get this cleaned up and get a driver’s license,” McKenzie said. Most of Patterson’s old fines were due to having no driver’s license.

Alonzo Jones Jr., 105 CR 432, Coffeeville, was fined $624 for simple possession of controlled substance (marijuana) and running a red light on September 28.

Robert Lee Willis, 925 Tennessee St., Coffeeville, was also charged with simple possession of controlled substance on September 28 while with Jones who said the marijuana in the vehicle was his.

“Why did they charge you both?” the judge asked.

“We both said it wasn’t ours,” Willis replied.

Willis told the judge it was not his car and it was in the console and Jones admitted it was his marijuana.

Jones told the judge it was his marijuana in the car he was driving.

“I’ll accept the explanation. Don’t lie to the officers and this wouldn’t happen,” the judge said as he dismissed Willis’ charges.

Wanda L. Jones, 55 Carlisle Rd., Courtland, had a charge for simple possession of controlled substance (two counts) dismissed after she provided proof to the judge she had prescriptions for the medications.

She entered a guilty plea to driving while license suspended and careless driving.

Ella J. Heath, 115 MLK, Batesville, was fined $1,146 after entering a guilty plea to shoplifting from Walmart by replacing a barcode for $21 on an item worth $49.46.

“Switching price tags falls under the shoplifting law,” McKenzie said.

Heath said she understood and had never done anything like that before and she would promise to never return to court.

Her fines are due within 30 days.

Laura Hervey, 30 Birdsong Cove, Batesville, failed to appear to answer shoplifting charges from Walmart. Alright Bonding was notified she didn’t honor her bond.

Jamarlin O. Ladd, 1105-B Hawkins Rd., Courtland, entered the city’s work program for 13 days in lieu of paying $708 in old fines due since May 2015.

“Last time you told me to try to get the money and I couldn’t get it,” Ladd told the judge after he was asked why he was back in court for the old fines.

“Do you work?” McKenzie asked.

“No,” Ladd replied.

“How old are you,” McKenzie asked.

“30,” he replied.

“Who supports you? Who feeds you?” McKenzie asked.

“My mama,” he replied.

“Wow, she’s a good woman,” the judge replied as he told Ladd he’d serve 90 days in jail if he didn’t work every single day he signed up for on the work program.

Demon R. Jackson, 2828 O.B. McClinton Rd., Senatobia, had a case for domestic violence-simple assault dismissed.

The victim was not in court to testify and the case was dismissed due to lack of probable cause and testimony.