Domestic violence leads to deaths of two within days

By Rupert Howell
July saw two local homicides within 14 days of each other.
The episodes were unrelated, but were alike because both deaths happened in rural Panola County.
One of the victims was inside a home when the suspect entered and later shot three times, killing her at the scene.
In the other, a man apparently broke through a locked door and was shot five days after a protection order against him had expired.
But, as Panola County Coroner Gracie Gulledge says, “I’ve never seen a protection order that would stop a bullet.”
Both deaths also involved love—love that had gone sour, that now classifies both deaths as domestic related.
Craig Harris, 53, lives at the end of Fogg Road. Last Saturday night he went a few doors down where his former girlfriend was awaiting a card game with friends. He was let into the house, seemingly calm, and later fired three shots from a 9mm pistol, killing Ebony Garcia, 34, in the home of her friend.
Harris was denied bond after entering a guilty plea to murder in Justice Court Judge Mike Wilson’s session during his first appearance Tuesday in Sardis. Harris will hire his own attorney who may then ask for bond to be set, according to Panola County Sheriff Lieutenant Investigator Edward Dickson.
Dickson was still investigating the murder Tuesday after the hearing, interviewing witnesses and searching the crime scene for projectiles.
A search Sunday morning for Harris, following the previous night’s murder, with 15 to 20 sheriff deputies participating with assistance from their K-9 unit, was unsuccessful.
The murder occurred at 135 Fogg Road, located just east of I-55 off of Eureka Road, south of the Pauline Smith Place as many older residents know it. The area is dotted with small agricultural fields surrounded by wooded areas with creeks and a few residences.
Upscale homes are located a short distance away on Pine Lodge Road while modestly priced homes and trailers line the roadside on Eureka, all in close proximity of each other.
Dickson said Harris knew the searched area well and could lose searchers anytime he wanted. A decision was made to call off the search and allow family time to reach Harris and talk him into turning himself in.
That agreement was consummated Sunday around 7:30 p.m. when Harris was brought to the jail by family members.
That death contrasted with the July 16 shooting death of James Clinton Hamm on Murphy Ridge Road near the Lafayette County line in eastern Panola County.
The incident report indicated that Hamm entered the residence there through a secured door five days after a protection order had expired.
Phyllis Hamm told deputies that her husband kicked the door after unlocking it and a jack used to further prevent entry slid and he was able to enter.
The report further stated she then fired her .22 caliber revolver fatally injuring Hamm who was later airlifted to medical facilities. A .38 revolver was removed from his truck.
Phyliss Hamm was taken into custody but not charged as the case will be turned over to the Panola County Grand Jury for adjudication.