Thursday Sept. 26,
2013
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Daily Corinthian Vol. 117, No. 224
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 16 pages • 1 section
New suit filed against Defamation ex-principal Burcham lawsuit filed Damages sought for invasion of privacy, mental distress BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Two Alcorn Central Middle School staff members dropped their federal lawsuit against former principal Dan Burcham as they pursue a new
civil suit in Alcorn County Circuit Court. In U.S. District Court, Chief Northern District Judge Michael P. Mills entered an order dismissing the federal civil suit without prejudice on Sept. 12,
in ricin-laced letters case
court documents show. Plaintiffs Janet Walls Holley, an ACMS teacher, and Stephanie Leigh Eaton, ACMS counselor, sought dismissal of the suit Please see BURCHAM | 2
BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Breaking the silence
The Corinth man framed for sending ricin-laced letters to the president, a congressman and a Mississippi judge is suing the man who was eventually indicted for the crimes. Paul Kevin Curtis filed a civil suit Wednesday in Alcorn County Circuit Court against James Everett Dutschke of Tupelo. Curtis accuses Dutschke of defamation of character, intentional infliction of emotional distress and intentional interference with a business relationship. He seeks damages as determined by a jury. After the letters containing the poison found naturally in castor beans were sent to President Barack Obama, Sen. Roger Wicker and Lee County Justice Court Judge Sadie Holland, Curtis was arrested on April 17 when he was leaving his home in his car with some groceries and his dog en route to his exwife’s home. Officers in SWAT gear descended on his car and ordered him to get out, according to the lawsuit. He was taken to Oxford where he was interrogated. “He was told a young woman was in the hospital and would likely die if he didn’t explain how ‘he made the ricin,’” the suit states. “This treatment went on for several hours.” Curtis was held for six days. During that time, the lawsuit argues that “he was portrayed as a traitor and a terrorist in the national and even international media. He and his family were subjected to untold grief and threats as a result of his arrest.” The suit argues that Dutschke’s actions caused Cur-
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Rita Millsaps (right), Corinth Mayor Tommy Irwin and S.A.F.E., Inc. Community Educator Amelia Parkes put a purple bow up in City Hall as part of October’s Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Corinth. The mayor also signed a proclamation declaring the the month as such.
Month puts spotlight on domestic violence BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
The silence needs to end. Domestic violence affects one in four women during their lifetime. Rita Millsaps knows all too
well the heartache associated with the crime. Her daughter, Amanda Millsaps, was murdered by her estranged husband in January of 2010. Since the death of her daughter, Millsaps has been
on a campaign to bring more awareness to domestic violence. “The only reason I do this is that it may prevent another act Please see DOMESTIC | 2
tis to lose income because he was no longer marketable in his chosen field after he was arrested and portrayed as a terrorist and a criminal. Curtis is known as an Elvis Presley impersonator. The suit says a dislike and distrust developed between the two men while they were acquaintances in the Tupelo area in the past decade. They both made their feelings known in a variety of ways, including social media postings. The letters contained in the envelopes included the phrase “Missing Pieces,” which is the name of a book Curtis has been writing, and concluded with, “I am KC and I approve this message,” which is a phrase frequently used by Curtis. He also frequently used “KC” in his social media posts. “The only reasonable explanation for Dutschke drafting the letters in this way was to make it appear that Kevin Curtis was the perpetrator of the terrorist act,” the suit states. “Of course one would have to believe that Kevin Curtis intended for the U.S. government to catch him if one were to accept the letters as originating from Mr. Curtis. That is completely illogical and flawed thinking, but nevertheless, Dutschke set up the machine that culminated in the unlawful arrest and incarceration of Paul Kevin Curtis.” The letters stated, “No one wanted to listen to me before. There are still ‘Missing Pieces.’ Maybe I have your attention now. Even if that means someone must die. This must stop. To see a wrong and not expose it, is to become a silent partner Please see CURTIS | 2
Flag ceremony marks remodeling BY JOSEPH MILLER jmiller@dailycorithian.com
The Boy Scouts of Corinth participated in a flag ceremony held at the Mississippi Polymers company Tuesday to help celebrate their latest remodeling project. Ron Whisenant, the Facilities Manager for Mississippi Polymers, said that his company started in 1964 as part of the Corinth community and they appreciate that this was a sym-
bolic day. “We wanted to make sure that we stayed involved with the community because we know that this is obviously an important part of what we do,” Whisenant said. Mississippi Polymers manufactures calendared PVC film and sheeting and value-added prints and laminates. Their focus centers on unsupported PVC films used in pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) coating
applications as well as laminates for RV and residential awning, spa covers, banner and/or billboards, and contract and/or institutional and residential furniture, according to their website. Tuesday’s event was a way for Mississippi Polymers to show the community they care about their image just like they do their products and employees.
Staff photo by Joseph Miller
Please see REMODELING | 3
Local Boy Scouts prepare to raise the flags at Mississippi Polymers, Inc.
Crossroads Arena board members look toward new events BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Things are going to be a little different at the Crossroads Arena. In a fun way.
Fresh off its partnership with the Alcorn County Fair in bringing in A&E “Duck Dynasty “star Willie Robertson and his son John Luke last weekend, the seven-person board was
presented an event update by general manager Tammy Genovese. “I am excited about the rest of the year and next year,” said Genovese. “I would love to
Index Stocks........8 Classified......14 Comics........ 9 State........ 5
Weather...... 10 Obituaries........ 6 Opinion........4 Sports...... 12
bring in some new things.” One new event is discussion about coming to the multipurpose facility is the Ken-Ten Truck & Tractor Pullers Winter Series.
“Corinth would be one of four cities for its indoor winter series,” said the general manager. “They want to do two nights and Please see ARENA | 2
On this day in history 150 years ago Confederate Gen. Kirby Smith tries to rally the civilians, “Vigorous efforts on your part can alone save portions of your State from invasion. You should contest the advance of the enemy, thicket, gully, and stream: harass his rear and cut off his supplies.”
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