By Emily D. Williams
and Rupert Howell

Authorities were searching Thursday near Utica in Hinds County for a local man charged with murder and out on bond from a 2012 murder charge in Panola County.

Law enforcement officials there suspected that Michael Wright, who was yesterday accused of murder and an abduction according to news reports, was hiding in a corn field.

Wright was accused of abducting his current girlfriend, Sharice Latham, who was located Thursday morning in Utica near where the Wednesday murder occurred.

The murder victim was identified as 55-year-old Jerry Brent, Latham’s uncle, according to WLBT reports.

News reports at noon on Thursday said Wright was thought to be cornered in a corn field. Latham was being treated at a nearby hospital according to news reports.

Batesville Police Chief Tony Jones confirmed that his department was notified through Panola County Sheriff’s office who was working with Hinds County Sheriff’s Department that Wright was being sought on Wednesday.

Wright was charged with murdering a Canton woman, Cera White Canon, on Christmas Eve 2012 and was bound over to the Panola County grand jury in a January session of Batesville Municipal Court. Her body was located in Batesville.

His bond was also reduced during that session from $1 million to $500,000.

Wright testified at the time that he was from Batesville although he had a Canton address.

An August 29 court date was continued after Wright unsuccessfully asked for a court appointed attorney. Judge Jimmy McClure denied the request noting that Wright was able to make the $50,000 bond.

Batesville Detective Jeremiah Brown testified in a January preliminary hearing that Wright had turned himself in. Attorney David Walker told Judge McKenzie in that same hearing that Wright had no previous criminal record when seeking to get his bond reduced.

 Deputies with Panola county Circuit Clerk’s office said that Wright’s plea date is scheduled for March 4, 2014 with the first trial date following March 14. No attorney has been yet been employed according to court officials.