Wednesday Oct. 10,
2012
50 cents
Daily Corinthian Vol. 116, No. 244
Delightful Today
Tonight
69
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• Corinth, Mississippi • 20 pages • Two sections
Capital murder trial testimony begins BY BRANT SAPPINGTON bsappington@dailycorinthian.com
Testimony began Tuesday in the capital murder trial of a Prentiss County man accused of taking part in the deadly assault and robbery of a Thrasher man in 2010. Prosecutors say Charles David Burleson II was a direct party to the robbery and assault that claimed the life of Stephen Keith Holley in May 2010, while his defense attorney told the jury his client innocently found himself in the midst of a tragic and unexpected situation due to the actions of his co-defendant. Burleson was indicted last year along with Jeremy Keith Huguley of Rienzi on a charge of capital murder in the crime.
Huguley will be tried separately in Prentiss County Circuit Court on the charge of capital murder at a later date. Kayla Cartwright, 20, of Booneville also faces a future trial in connection with the case. Cartwright, described as Huguley’s girlfriend, was indicted on a charge of accessory after the fact to capital murder. Holley was found severely injured in his Thrasher home on May 15, 2010, after being struck with some type of metal object. The home had been robbed and numerous items taken. He died on May 21, 2010, at North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo of injuries sustained in the assault. Burleson and Huguley were arrested a short time later and charged in the case.
District Attorney Trent Kelly told jurors in his opening statement the fact of exactly who struck the victim is not relevant to the charge of capital murder. Capital murder is defined in Mississippi as a murder occurring the course of the commission of another felony and Kelly said the state will show Burleson was directly involved in the robbery and therefore guilty of the murder that occurred in the course of that robbery. “I don’t know which one struck him and I don’t care,” said Kelly. Kelly said Holley was assaulted, robbed and left for dead by the defendant and Huguley. “Mr. Holley was struck in the head and they left him bleeding with his head laid open, they left
him on the floor to die,” said Kelly. The prosecutor told jurors Holley was still alive as his house was robbed and ransacked and his assailants left. “He would die much later of a slow and painful death,” said Kelly. Defense attorney John Helmert told jurors he would show that Huguley was to blame for the crime and Holley’s death and his client was unaware of what was going to happen when he went to the Holley home. “David Burleson walked into a storm that had been brewing a long time,” said Helmert. Helmert said Burleson did not know Huguley well, having met him just recently through his girlfriend. There was an ongoing rift between Huguley’s
family and the family of Holley, his uncle. Huguley was in need of money to pay a bail bondsman in order to remain out of jail on a previous felony charge. Helmert said the bail bondsman will testify Huguley made that payment the afternoon after Holley was assaulted and robbed. He said all of the items taken from the Holley residence were found in the possession of Huguley, his girlfriend or others connected to Huguley with no connection to Burleson. Helmert said the state will not be able to show Burleson went to the home with the intent to commit the robbery or assault. He said his client did not willingly take part in the crime and should be found not guilty.
Luncheon represents support, volunteerism Woman faces assault charge BY STEVE BEAVERS
sbeavers@dailycorinthian.com
Tuesday was more than just catfish and khakis. It was about helping the children of the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Mississippi. The Seventh Annual Catfish & Khakis fall luncheon brought the community together in downtown Corinth to support the club's biggest fundraiser. “People have been so supportive and it has been a big success,” said club board of directors member J.C. Hill. “They just don't say no to this event.” Around 20 volunteers were busy filling orders at the corner of Fillmore and Cruise Street for close to two hours. “It has gone really well,” said David Roberts, executive director of the Boys and Girls Club of Northeast Mississippi, while taking a break. “Everything has fallen in line.” Tickets were available for $10 with individuals getting a choice of fish or chicken to go along with hushpuppies, fries, slaw, cookie and drink. T-shirts, designed by local artist Katie Briggs, were also available for $15. “I enjoy doing it for the children,” said board of directors president Wendy Shinault. “This benefits them.” The luncheon has exceeded the expectations of Roberts. “The first one was a service to Corinth,” said the executive diPlease see CATFISH | 2A
BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
Staff photo by Steve Beavers
Volunteers Lisa Kirk (left) and Yulanda Grayson fill an order during the Seventh Annual Catfish and Khakis.
Glen’s tornado siren becomes operational this week BY JEBB JOHNSTON jjohnston@dailycorinthian.com
GLEN — Tornado siren coverage is expanding in Alcorn County with the addition of a siren at Glen Town Hall. Installation began last week, and it is expected to become operational this week. “We were the only town in the county that didn’t have one, and we wanted to get one for our people,” said Mayor John Little. “If it will save one life, it’s worth it.” The town purchased the siren for approximately $20,000 from Federal Signal Corp. Like other storm sirens positioned throughout the county, it will be activated by the 911 office when a tornado warning is ac-
tive for Alcorn County. Sirens may also be tested at noon on Saturdays, weather permitting. Clerk Lynn Fielding said the siren has a radius of 2.5 to 3 miles and should provide good coverage for the town of 2 square miles. The siren is on the east side of the town hall on U.S. 72 near the shelter that was installed last year. The shelter was part of a grant-funded program to provide shelters for government workers, but the town welcomes any residents to use it when severe storms hit. It can accommodate up to 50 people. A backup generator can power the siren during power outages.
Corinth High celebrates homecoming BY KIM JOBE Corinth School District
Staff photo by Jebb Johnston
The tornado siren on the east side of Glen Town Hall is expected to be operational this week.
Index Stocks...... 7A Classified......5B Comics......3B Wisdom......2B
A Corinth woman faces a felony charge after allegedly assaulting another woman with a hammer on Friday. The Corinth Police Department charged Jeanette Ieshia Coker, 39, of Sawyer Road, with aggravated assault. She is in custody with bond set at $50,000. The victim, Jessica Lowery, 29, of Sawyer Road, was flown to North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo following the assault. She has since been released. Police Chief David Lancaster said it happened at 1115 Sawyer Road about 9:10 p.m. Friday. “When officers arrived, they found the victim lying in the driveway surrounded by a large area of blood from an apparent head wound,” he said. “Bystanders said she was hit in the head with a hammer.” The suspect lives nearby and was taken into custody a short time later. Lancaster did not know the nature of the dispute between the women.
Weather......5A Obituaries......3A Opinion......4A Sports......8A
Corinth High School’s annual homecoming celebration is under way this week. The Club Sweethearts will be presented during a ceremony at 1:30 p.m. Thursday in the CHS Gym. Homecoming Queen JaJa Johnson and her court will be presented during the Homecoming Pep Rally at 9:45 a.m. Friday. Members of the 2012 court Please see CHS | 2A
On this day in history 150 years ago Gen. Van Dorn’s army arrives in Holly Springs and goes into camp. This brings to a close the Corinth Campaign which had set out to drive the Union from West Tennessee, but resulted in bloody disaster in the streets and fields of Corinth.
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