112214 daily corinthian e edition

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Daily Corinthian

Saturday Nov. 22,

2014

50 cents

Vol. 118, No. 273

Staff photo by Steve Beavers

Garnett Denzell Hughes is escorted into the Alcorn County Courthouse on Friday afternoon to enter pleas on numerous charges.

Escapee pleads guilty to kidnapping, sexual battery, armed robbery and other charges jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

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70% chance of rain

the Natchez Trace near Pharr Mounds in Prentiss County that claimed the lives of Gerard Nassault and Pauline Demeres, both of Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada. The couple was traveling the Natchez Trace on a cross-country motorcycle trip when Sartain apparently cross the center line in his pickup and struck their motorcycle. Both were pronounced dead on the scene. Court documents show a witness reported Sartain was driving erratically prior to the crash. A Natchez Trace Parkway Ranger also gave a statement reporting Sartain tested above the legal limit in two separate blood alcohol level tests administered at the scene.

BY BRANT SAPPINGTON

Garnett Denzell Hughes, standing before Judge Jim Pounds in Alcorn County Circuit Court Friday afternoon, appeared to be a man resigned to his fate. “Can I be honest with you,â€? he said to Pounds, explaining why he wanted to enter an Alford plea on many of the charges against him. “I’m black and she is ‌â€? A long pause followed before he finished, “I ain’t going to be

Tonight

Manslaughter plea entered in DUI-related death bsappington@dailycorinthian.com

able to win down here.� An Alford plea is one in which the defendant denies any guilt but agrees to be treated as guilty by the court. Hughes, 26, pleaded guilty to three indictments and a criminal information for a total of 15 counts that resulted in 15 consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole. Hughes asked the judge if the sentences could go even further. “Do they do the death penalty?� he said.

Today

• Corinth, Mississippi • 18 pages • 1 section

Judge gives Hughes 15 life sentences

BY JEBB JOHNSTON

Mostly cloudy

“You are not eligible for the death penalty,� said Pounds. “What have I got to do to get that?� said Hughes. He entered Alford pleas on the two indictments that included the sexual battery cases. On Thursday, he had asked to meet with attorneys and to get into court as soon as possible. Friday was the last day of the current term of court, and he had been scheduled for trial in the current term. Please see HUGHES | 2

A Tishomingo man has pleaded guilty to a lesser charge in the DUI-related death of two Canadian motorcyclists on the Natchez Trace Parkway in Prentiss County. Donnie Wiliam Sartain, 50, pleaded guilty Thursday to two counts of involuntary manslaughter in federal court in Oxford. The plea deal spared Sartain from trial on two more serious charges two counts each of driving under the influence resulting in death and negligent homicide/manslaughter. He had been indicted on the more serious charges in August. Sartain was accused of causing an Aug. 6 crash on

Church growth leads to partial street closure the east end of 8th Street between Chambers Street and Donegal Street. The church owns property between Chambers and Donegal that, along with the segment of 8th Street, would be used to add a 51-space parking lot and a park/playground area.

BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com

The Corinth Board of Mayor and Aldermen agreed this week to close a small portion of 8th Street to assist an expansion at First Presbyterian Church. The East Shiloh Road church requested the closure of approximately 125 feet of

Please see STREET | 2

Toy Store sees big response, big need for community support BY BRANT SAPPINGTON bsappington@dailycorinthian.com

The final week of registration for the 2014 Lighthouse Foundation Toy Store brought a huge influx of families in need and with it a huge need for support from the community.

More than 150 families signed up on Thursday, the last day to seek help from the annual Christmas toy program. “It was unbelievable,� said foundation Executive Director Gary Caveness. Over 500 families have reg-

istered for help from this year’s program, representing more than 1,500 children who would otherwise have nothing under the tree. The countdown is now on toward the annual Toy Store shopping day, set for Dec. 11

when these struggling families will be given the opportunity to choose gifts for their children and also hear the word of God from foundation volunteers. A lot of support is needed between now and then to make that happen, said Caveness.

Fundraising is well underway and the director said he’s blessed to live in a community that always comes through for those in need. “We’re (glad) to have help. Please see STORE | 2

Annual Taste of Hope feeds the body and soul BY STEVE BEAVERS sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com

Oakland Baptist Church isn’t reinventing the wheel with its 3rd Annual Taste of Hope. The church is taking the simple approach, according to church pastor Dr. Randy Bostick. “It’s pretty basic,� said Bostick of the church mission of

feeding close to 1,200 people. “We are delivering hope ‌ Jesus didn’t sit in the temple, He did this every day.â€? Taste of Hope – started in 2012 when Oakland church members Michal Ann Spencer and Chris Botting had a burning desire to reach out to others Please see TASTE | 2

Oakland Baptist Church volunteers work to fill orders during last year’s Taste of Hope.

Index Stocks........8 Classified...... 15 Comics......14 State........ 5

Weather........9 Obituaries........ 6 Opinion........4 Sports...... 12

On this day in history 150 years ago Brig. Gen. Franklin Gardner arrived in Corinth to command of the garrison and defenses of the city. Gardner had been in command of the Confederate bastion of Port Hudson, Louisiana, the last fort on the Mississippi to fall to the Federals.

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