By Emily Williams
Suspects in a December 29 armed robbery and two parking lot purse-snatchings  made their initial appearance in Batesville Municipal Court Wednesday.
Christopher Key, 517 Harmon Rd., Batesville, and D’Undrygus M. Henderson, 872 Bethlehem Rd., Batesville, both had charges for robbery, conspiracy to commit a crime (x3), two counts of armed robbery, three counts of kidnapping.
The January 12 edition of The Panolian reported Batesville Assistant Police Chief Jimmy McCloud stating that detectives had developed information leading to Key and Henderson as suspects the  December 29 armed robbery at apartments located behind Skyline Motel on Highway 51.
“There were some people unloading groceries from a car and they robbed them,” McCloud said.
The incident brought two charges of armed robbery: “There were three people (victims) but they didn’t take anything but from two of them,” McCloud said, explaining the allegations.
The kidnapping charges stemmed from “holding them against their will… without lawful authority to seize or confine,” the assistant chief continued. Conspiracy charges resulted from the alleged prior planning of the robbery, he said.
The other charges were filed in connection with two purse snatching incidents, December 28 and January 3, in the Kroger parking lot.
Judge Bill McKenzie asked Key, “Do you have a lawyer?”
“No,” Key replied.
A preliminary hearing was set for next Wednesday. Key is also being held for the Mississippi Department of Corrections and is unable to make a bond.
Key also had domestic violence charges dismissed after the affiant, Diamond Williams, failed to appear to prosecute.
Henderson asked the judge if he could have a bond reduction. Authorities said they did not object to lowering his bond from $170,000 to $75,000.
Henderson turned himself in to authorities Friday, January 8 shortly after the BPD released photos to the media.
Key turned himself in January 10.
Henderson’s preliminary hearing was continued for two weeks.
Grand Jury
Howard R. Tackett, 1174 Weiner Rd., Memphis, was referred to the grand jury for burglary of an occupied dwelling and grand larceny for stealing a John Deer mower, weed trimmer, pressure washer and other items from the home of Kirk Willingham.
Initial appearances
The judge found Christopher Lee, 226 Bates St., Batesville, guilty in connection with a dog nuisance ordinance violation, but suspended the $100 fine providing Lee properly cares for the animals so that their barking doesn’t disturb neighbors.
Daphne T. Thomas, 109 Jackson St., Batesville, had two counts of simple assault dismissed after the affiants, Carolyn Ivery and Chris Black, told the judge they wanted to “let it go.”
Ricky Henderson, 125 Jackson St., Batesville, entered the city’s work release program for 23 days in lieu of paying his old fines of $1,937 due since July 2015.
The judge continued the case of Gregory A. Massey, 6793 Eureka Rd., Courtand, charged with contempt of court-old fines of $1,003 due since November 2015.

Cases set for trial
James B. Turner, 106 Jackson St., Batesville, had a domestic violence-simple assault case dismissed after his brother, John Henry Turner, failed to appear to testify.
Willie E. Joiner had a case for disorderly conduct-interfering with a business and trespassing dismissed after the affiant, Lanisha Fox, failed to appear to prosecute.
Joiner also had charges for disorderly conduct-failure to comply and public profanity.
His fines of $872 were suspended for six months pending good behavior.
Tommy Lee Wright, 139-A  Todd Rd., Batesville, was found guilty of domestic violence-simple assault and fined $417.
Ralph C. Pollard, 10 Elm St., Charleston, had a case continued for DUI, driving while license suspended and no proof of insurance.