City court: Tickets pile up fines for errant Batesville drivers

By Rita Howell
Before Judge Bill McKenzie began hearing cases on his docket in Batesville Municipal Court Wednesday, he dealt with 19 traffic tickets issued by Batesville police. Two people contested their tickets and will return to court at a later date for trials. The rest entered guilty pleas and received fines to be paid at city hall.
Among the cases set for trial Wednesday were two previously issued but contested speeding tickets, for which both drivers ended up pleading guilty. Ryan S. Vargo, 2560 Oakmont Cove, Hernando, pleaded guilty to driving 70 in a 55 MPH zone, and signed up for driving school to mitigate the effects of the infraction on his record. He was fined $93.
Jennifer L. Jackson of 1043 Appalossa Trl, Tallahassee, Fla., admitted to speeding in a 25 MPH zone on Eureka Street Extended, but brought up a disparity in the speed limits along that stretch of the street. Part of the street is marked with a 35 MPH limit, and part of it with a 25 MPH limit. She was fined $143 for doing 35 in a 25 MPH zone, and the judge told her she might take up with the city board the technical questions about the two posted speed limits along the street.

Body cam evidence
A body cam video quickly backed up Officer Will Parrish’s testimony that Maurice Wilkins of 122 Jackson St., Batesville, admitted that he had been smoking marijuana. Parrish was conducting a safety checkpoint May 18 on Perkins Lane. Wilkins was stopped and was found to have no driver’s license and Parrish said he detected what he suspected to be the odor of marijuana. Wilkins, on the video tape, confessed to smoking a joint prior to driving.
After the video was shown, Wilkins told the judge he had only smoked half a joint and that was 15 to 20 minutes before he got in his vehicle.
The judge ruled the charges adequately proven, and fined Wilkins $1,089.
Charges remanded
At the request of Officer Adam Campbell, a charge of speeding filed against Dorothy King, 63 Annie Herron Rd., Courtland, was remanded to the court files.
Judge McKenzie also remanded to the files a charge of possession of marijuana filed against Quintarius Miller, 2823 Bienville Blvd., Ocean Springs, by Officer Rickie Terrell. The officer requested that the charges be remanded.
A charge of simple assault filed against Ricky Scott Jr. of 10316 Dummy Line Road, Batesville, was dismissed after the affiant, Lashundra Johnson, failed to appear to prosecute.

Domestic dispute
In a long hearing related to a domestic violence protection order, the judge granted the request of April Moore that a previously issued protection order be extended for ten days. April Moore and Richard Moore have a divorce case pending.

Felony cases
Two felony cases were referred to the grand jury.
Patrick White, 8275 Old Panola, Sardis, faces a felony charge of possession of controlled substance with intent (related to cocaine), and a felony possession of controlled substance charge related to marijuana. The charges were filed June 25 when White was arrested on Panola Avenue.
Holly M. Hale, 1042 Morrow Road, Courtland, is contesting a charge of simple possession of marijuana in a vehicle, filed June 8. That case was continued.
Hale is also charged with felony possession of controlled substance, possession of controlled substance and possession of marijuana in a vehicle, charges that were filed June 22 and will be heard by the grand jury.
Misdemeanors
In other misdemeanor cases, Antonio Harris, 126 Field St., Batesville, pleaded guilty to possession of paraphernalia and no seatbelt on June 16, and was fined $428.
James E. Watson of 211 Tubbs Road, Batesville, pleaded guilty to possession of marijuana in a vehicle and expired tag June 24 and was fined $910.
Ambershaye Hale of 3415 Benson Rd., Pope, pleaded guilty to shoplifting and was fined $1146.

Continued cases
The judge continued the case of Matthew K. Thornton, 112 Vick St., Batesville, after Thornton contested a firearm enhancement penalty filed in conjunction with charges of possession of marijuana in a vehicle and possession of paraphernalia. He was arrested June 24 at Days Inn.
Also continued was the case of Brandon A. Martin of 106 Pickwick Ct., Jackson, who contested a charge of possession of marijuana in a vehicle.
“I was unaware it was there,” he said.
Officer J.P. Wallace also charged Martin with open container, speeding, no proof of insurance and driving while license is suspended, after a traffic stop on June 25.
The case will be heard August 10.
Emma Jean Thomas, 100 Booker T. Street, Batesville, will have her day in court August 17. She faces a charge of simple assault by threat, from an alleged bomb threat at city hall, which she contests.
A warrant was issued for the arrest of Montez D. Austin of 2812 Seven Road, Batesville, charged with possession of marijuana in a vehicle. Austin did not appear in court as ordered.
Also failing to appear in court were Rodriquez R. Ward, 2024 O.B. McClinton, Batesville, and Jillya Dillard, 943 N. Erwin Rd., Stonewall. Both are charged with shoplifting.