By Emily D. Williams

Every seat was full in Batesville Municipal Court Wednesday.

A Jonesboro man who said he was just passing through told Judge Bill McKenzie he was not guilty of public drunk and malicious mischief by kicking and destroying a door at Skyline Motel.
David Johnson told the judge he had been in jail five days.

“Why are you here?” McKenzie asked.

“I was just passing through. I was hitchhiking. I am trying to get to Nashville. I am a songwriter,” he explained.

“I’ll sing you a song now,” Johnson said.
The judge declined his offer.

Motel owner Fudge testified that Johnson did $350 worth of damage to the door he kicked.
Johnson was sentenced to 15 days in jail along with $350 in restitution.

The judge referred to the grand jury charges of statutory rape filed against Zachery Pitcock, 1264-A Whitten Rd., Courtland.

Desmond Robinson, 21-A Lamar Thomas, Batesville, had a probable cause hearing. He is charged with the murder of Douglas Ellis on July 4 at 171 Martin Luther King Dr.
His $1 million bond was reduced to $250,000 and the case was referred to the Panola County Grand Jury.

Prestine Adair, 228 Perkins, Batesville, entered a not guilty plea to animal cruelty by depriving nine puppies of water, food, and air.

She also had old fines of $2,612.50 that had been due since April 2009.
“Can I tell you about what happened with the dogs?” she asked.

“No, we will hear that during the trial,” McKenzie replied.

“You better get busy to get these fines paid because I am setting a trial for these puppies,” the judge said.

A trial was set for August 14 and the judge told Adair to have her fines paid in full before the trial or serve time in jail.

Lorenzo Honeycutt, 122 Cousen St., Marks, had charges of felony possession of controlled substance, DUI-second-other and loud music continued.

Xavier Hines, 445 Sanders Rd., Sardis, failed to appear to answer charges for open container and driving while license suspended.

He also had six months suspended jail time if he didn’t pay his old fines of $2,207 that have been due since April 2013. A warrant was issued for his arrest.

Carl Rogers Jr., 114 Hoskins, Batesville, paid his fine of $50 prior to court for saggy pants ordinance violation.

Dedric Sanford, 69 Otto Sanford Rd., Courtland, entered the city’s work program for 12 days in lieu of paying $668 for possession of marijuana in a vehicle. He had an improper equipment charge dismissed after proving he got his tail lights fixed.

Justin Market, 209 Claude St., Batesville, had a simple assault case dismissed after the affiant, LeAndra Hubbard, failed to appear to prosecute.

Javarius D. Taylor, 256 Greg Taylor Rd., Courtland, entered a guilty plea to disorderly conduct by fighting at Tri-Lakes in the emergency room.

“What were y’all fighting over?” McKenzie asked.

Taylor shrugged.

Cedric Clay Jr., 201 Atkins, Sardis, was also fined $313 for disorderly conduct-failure to comply by fighting at Tri-Lakes.

“Are you in school?” McKenzie asked.

“Yes, sir, I go to Northwest,” he replied.

Clay told McKenzie they were fighting because Jaquay Daniels’ brother was in the emergency room because he had been shot.

Daniels, 1493 Burdett Rd., Sardis, had his charges for disorderly conduct remanded to the files.
Darci Brasher, 10 CR485, Banner, entered the city’s work program for 20 days in lieu of paying $1,131 for shoplifting from Walmart.

Greggory Smith, 601 E Lee St., Sardis, was fined $639 after entering a guilty plea to petit larceny by taking gas from Kangeroo and no driver’s license.

Haven W. McGee, 209-B Pamela St., Batesville, had old fines of $2,043 that have been due since April 2013.

The judge read McGee the charges he owed fines for: malicious mischief, possession of marijuana and stalking.

McGee told the judge he was not guilty of stalking. A trial was set for August 21 and McGee was told to have his fines of $1,491 paid in full.

Cases set for trial
Austin Payne, 120 Trianon, Batesville, was found not guilty of driving on the wrong side of the road after a trial with testimony from Payne and Officer Will Parrish.

After both the defendant and officer testified the judge said, “This case is not proven beyond a reasonable doubt.”

James W. Norris, 1010 Sulphur Springs, Pine Bluff, Ark., had no proof of insurance charges dismissed.

Diana Dubois, 4803 Hwy. 51 South, Pope, was represented by attorney Tom Womble for DUI-refusal and open container.

She had her charge of DUI-refusal remanded to the files and was fined $312 for open container.
Norman Smalley, 2053 Seven Rd., Batesville, was represented by attorney Kirk Willingham on charges of DUI and speeding.

City prosecuting attorney Bob Morris said if Smalley enrolls in MASEP classes and goes to Alcoholics Anonymous classes and gets help the case can be remanded.

The case was put on hold until Smalley proves he has enrolled in the classes.

Willie Eppenger, 2245 Longtown Rd., Sarah, had a case for possession of marijuana in a vehicle and improper equipment continued.

Tickets
Jerome Q. Ales, 960 Trantham Rd., Batesville, entered the city’s work program for 23 days in lieu of paying $1,298 for driving while license suspended, driving with a headlight out along with old fines.

Malcolm Self, 386 Tocowa Rd., Courtland, was fined $212 for no tag. He had a no proof of insurance ticket dismissed after he presented proof he had insurance.

Scotty Williams, 88 Henry Rd., Courtland, entered the city’s work program for six days in lieu of paying $306 for no driver’s license.