News Briefs From Across The State
Suspect claimed he was shot on the street
A man who initially claimed he was shot on the street has been charged with house burglary after police learned he was injured during a home invasion. Eighteen-year-old Leslie Watts was charged on Aug. 31 after officers responded to a call at Central Mississippi Medical Center in Jackson. When they arrived about 11:57 a.m., Watts indicated that he had been shot by an unknown subject in the Battlefield Park area.
Jackson police received a call minutes later from a homeowner who advised that he shot and injured an unknown subject who was breaking into his residence in the 2000 block of Dogwood Lane.
Jackson Police Officer Colendula Green said a preliminary investigation revealed that Watts was the alleged burglar. Watts was treated and released from the hospital and transported to the Raymond Detention Center.
Mississippi court won’t hear post-conviction petition
The Mississippi Supreme Court has upheld a lower court decision that Michael Warren Willie failed to get approval before filing a post-conviction appeal. The Supreme Court sided Thursday, Sept. 8, with the state Court of Appeals, which said Willie didn’t get approval to file and therefore an Oktibbeha County judge didn’t have the authority to hear it.
Willie is serving a life sentence without parole for the 1989 shooting death of Joe Clardy at his Maben store.
Willie’s attorney filed a post-conviction petition in 2004. An Oktibbeha County judge ruled it was time barred under state law and denied it.
In a post-conviction petition, an inmate argues he has found new evidence or a possible constitutional issue that could persuade a court to order a new trial.
I-55 Rest Area in DeSoto County re-opens
The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) announced that the Rest Area on I-55 North in DeSoto County has been refurbished and is now open to the public. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act-funded project provided needed upgrades to the DeSoto County rest area near the Mississippi/Tennessee state line. This project provides landscaping, connection to the local city sewer, lighting installation, replacing picnic tables with ADA accessible versions, and other site improvements.
The project was awarded to Hemphill Construction Company, Inc., of Florence, MS, at a cost of $1,142,040.
Clinton bank robber captured, accomplice still at large
Clinton Police have arrested 25-year-old Travis Tyree Shelton and charged him with two area bank robberies and they are still looking for his accomplice, his brother, Gregory Shelton. Travis is charged with first robbing the Copiah Bank and the Merchants and Farmers Bank on Aug. 15.
Police are also looking for Shelton’s brother, Gregory, in connection with both robberies. Travis, who has no known previous arrests, is cooperating with police during their investigation.
Gregory has an extensive arrest record, including felony arrests for house burglary, possession of cocaine and auto theft.
Burglar caught inside Lowe’s
An 18-year old Gulfport man has been charged with burglary of a business after police caught him inside a Lowe’s home improvement store. Shaun Shaquille Lewis was arrested after officers responded to an alarm activation at Lowe’s at 2151 John Hill Blvd. in Gulfport.
When they arrived on the scene, officers found a broken window and Lewis allegedly inside the store.
Lewis, who was already on probation for burglary, was taken into custody and his bond was set at $100,000.
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