Trial for accused roadside murderer under way in Tunica 4/1/2014
Published 12:00 am Tuesday, April 1, 2014
By Rupert Howell
A capital murder trial against suspected roadside killer James Willie of Panola County began yesterday in Tunica County where he is charged with the roadside murder of Lori Carswell of Hernando in May of 2012.
He is also charged with capital murder in Panola County where he is suspected of murdering Thomas Schlender of Nebraska on I-55 near the Pope-Courtland exit on May 8, 2012, three days before Carswell was killed.
The Panola County trial was set to get underway last August in Batesville, but was delayed after Willie turned down a plea of life imprisonment and his lawyers sought and received additional time to prepare for the case.
A court conference is expected in Panola County April 15 during Circuit Judge Jimmy McClure’s plea day in Sardis. The earliest trial date possible for McClure’s court to hold a Batesville trial is the session beginning June 2, according to the Panola County’s Circuit Clerk office.
Thomas Schlender of Nebraska was found shot in his car in the median of Interstate 55 in Panola County near Pope-Courtland exit.
Corswell was found shot in her car alongside Highway 713 near Interstate 69 in Tunica County.