Defendant forfeits pistol after discharging it in city

By Emily D. Williams
Judge Bill McKenzie referred five people to the grand jury during Batesville Municipal Court Wednesday.
Jerry T. Morton Jr., 206 Pearson, Batesville, was referred to the grand jury for possession of firearm by a felon.
Houston Burdette, 4917 Curtis Rd., Batesville, was referred to the grand jury for possession of controlled substance (marijuana) with intent to distribute.
Benjamin Hall, 111 Patton Lane, Batesville, was referred to the grand jury for sale of controlled substance (crack cocaine) and old fines of $1,091 due since June 2016.
Hall was also referred to the grand jury for sale of controlled substance and old fines of $1,091.
Regina Patterson, 683 Leverette Rd., Cascilla, was bound over to the grand jury for felony embezzlement.
Jatavius D. Keys, 250 MLK Dr., Batesville, entered a guilty plea to discharging a Glock 45 pistol in city limits, 212 Hayes Street, on November 25.
“Did they get your gun?” the judge asked.
“Yes, sir,” Keys replied.
Keys explained the gun was in his name and he had it for protection.
“A guy tried to grab my gun off of my waist,” Keys said.
“What if you wouldn’t of had the gun? I hope we don’t get like we are living in the wild west where we need guns all of the time,” the judge replied.
Keys was fined $323. His fine was reduced from the original $646 and his gun remained forfeited.
Raven Y. Jones, 301 Section Line Rd., Como, paid a fine of $443 in full prior to court for simple possession of marijuana.
Keenan D. Hentz, 1312 Hentz Rd., Pope, failed to appear to answer charges for simple possession of marijuana. A warrant was issued for his arrest.
Brittany N. Bryant, 46 Hickory Lane, Sardis, entered a guilty plea to possession of marijuan in a vehicle. She was fined $683.
Johnathan Griffin, 65 Fifth St., Crowder, entered a guilty plea to trespassing at Subway. He was fined $417.
Sameika R. Robinson, 411 Willa St., Batesville, entered a guilty plea to disorderly conduct-failure to comply by failing to stop fighting in the Wendy’s parking lot. She was fined $647.
Richard D. Williams, 432 Tubbs Rd., Batesville, had a simple assault and malicious mischief charge dismissed after the affiant, Reginald Williams failed to appear to prosecute.
Amber Landis, 213 Court St., Batesville, had a simple assault charge dismissed after the affiant, Anjarreka Mister failed to appear.
Ontavious Johnson, 222 Noble St. Batesville, had a simple assault case dismissed as affiant Ajarreka Mister failed to appear to prosecute.
Cameron Ferguson, 203 Stevens Lane, Batesville, had a domestic violence-simple assault case continued.
Justin T. Parker, 502 Blanche St., Jonestown, entered a not guilty plea to domestic violence-simple assault. A trial was set for January 11.
Patrick J. House Jr., 105 Gracie Cove, Batesville, entered a guilty plea to shoplifting Xbox games from Walmart. He was fined $1,146.
Melissa Spurgeon, 768 S. Archie Rd., Grenada, entered a guilty plea to shoplifting grill rub, ribeyes and other items from Walmart.
“Were you going to make a steak dinner?” the judge asked.
She was fined $1,146.
Dimitri C. Roberts, 105 Hughes Rd., Sledge, failed to appear to answer shoplifting charges. A warrant was issued.
Oshanna Wright, 330 Green Hill Circle, Sardis, failed to appear to answer contempt of court-old fines of $831 charges. A warrant was issued.
Brandon Fletcher, 3993 Barnacre Rd., Sardis, failed to appear to answer charges for contempt of court-old fines of $487 due since February 2014. A warrant was issued.
Courtney L. Pride, 209 Claude St., Batesville, was found guilty of careless driving. She was fined $165.
Sandra Cauthen, 128 Patton Lane, Batesville, was found guilty of failure to dim lights. She was fined $155.
Andrew Elmore, 9927 Eureka Rd., Batesville, was found not guilty of harassment after a trial.