WEST POINT — Robert Rupert”s trial for the charge of murder was continued to Jan. 19, for the purpose of hearing remaining pretrial motions.
Rupert is charged with the killings of Roosevelt Pernell III in December 2003 and Carlos Carr in 1994. The capital murder and aggravated assault charges stem from the murder-for-hire shooting death of Pernell and the shooting of Pernell”s brother, Cedric, while they were working in concert with the Clay County Sheriff”s Department.
According to police reports, Rupert and possibly other gunmen used sniper-style rifles to shoot and kill Roosevelt Pernell and wound Cedric Pernell. Authorities believe the killing was drug-related.
CCSD investigators in June 2009 charged Rupert on one count of capital murder in connection with the shooting death of Pernell, a Starkville resident.
Carr went missing July 24, 1994, and his body was discovered weeks later on Old Payne Field Road in Monroe County.
The Clay County Sheriff”s Office”s Cold Case Unit, along with help from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and the FBI, discovered evidence linking Rupert to the Carr death, as well.
Sixteenth District Circuit Judge Lee Howard handed down the following sentences in these cases decided during this term of Clay County Circuit Court:
n Timothy Robertson”s trial for the charge of accessory after the fact-murder was continued to Oct. 11.
- Jeremy Barnhill”s trial for the charge of manslaughter was continued to Oct. 4 for the purpose of completing discovery.
- Sunset Lofton”s trial for the charge of statutory rape was continued to Oct. 5.
- Christopher Belk”s trial for the charge of aggravated assault was continued to Oct. 11.
- Gustavus J. Shaw”s trial for the charge of sexual battery was continued to Oct. 11.
- Latrai Spraggins” trial for the charge of statutory rape was continued until Oct. 5 for the purpose of further investigation by the defendant”s attorney.
- Tiffany Barnhill Johnson”s trial on charges of conspiracy was continued until Oct. 7 for the purpose of further investigation.
- Darrick Cummings” trial for the charges of child abuse, two counts sale of cocaine and possession of cocaine with intent to distribute was set for Oct. 12. Bond was set at $40,000.
- Ben Dowdy”s trial for the charges of possession of a weapon by a convicted felon was set for Oct. 6. No bond was set.
- Juan Rico Parker pleaded guilty to receiving stolen property and was sentenced to two years probation.
- Jason Stroud pleaded guilty to escape and was sentenced to five years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
- Eldridge Rupert”s post-release supervision following a conviction for sale of cocaine was revoked. Rupert was sentenced to five years in MDOC.
- Carolyn Moten pleaded guilty to sex with an inmate by a corrections officer. Moten was sentenced to five years probation.
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