The trial of a Maben woman accused of killing her husband in 2009 has been continued until the next term of Oktibbeha County Circuit Court.
Verina Childs” murder trial, already continued several times, was continued again this week as attorneys in the case wait on expert witness evidence.
Childs, of 3875 Jeff Peay Road, is accused of shooting her husband, Douglas Childs, 32, while he hunted off Hawkins Road in western Oktibbeha County in November 2009. Hawkins Road is located a short distance from the couple”s home and the Choctaw County line.
The Oktibbeha County Sheriff”s Office arrested Verina Childs, who was 37 at the time, three days after her husband”s death and charged her with murder. Childs” trial has been continued at each Circuit Court term since the shooting as the investigation continued and attorneys waited on evidence.
In other court business this week, the aggravated assault trial of a Columbus man accused of striking another man in the head with a cowbell during the 2009 Egg Bowl at Mississippi State University was continued until the next court term. The defendant, Brent Vowell, 24, needs additional time to investigate the matter, according to court records.
The assault took place Nov. 28, 2009, in the north end zone student section of Davis Wade Stadium after the Mississippi State football team defeated the University of Mississippi 41-27.
The victim, a 21-year-old MSU student, was with friends who were wearing Ole Miss gear, MSU Detective Brad Massey said at the time. Verbal sparring began between the suspect, the victim and his friends, which culminated with the suspect striking the victim over the head with a cowbell.
The victim, who police have not identified, was taken to Oktibbeha County Hospital, now OCH Regional Medical Center, where he was treated for a concussion and large gash on his head.
Vowell turned himself in to authorities in February 2010, two weeks after the MSU Police Department released surveillance camera still-shots of the suspect and his girlfriend in the stands during the Egg Bowl. If convicted, Vowell faces up to 20 years in prison.
While the trials of Childs and Vowell were continued, judges Jim Kitchens, Lee Howard and Lee Coleman sentenced a number of defendants this week.
n Coleman sentenced Edward Lamar Ware to a combined eight years in the MDOC for one count of burglary of a building and one count of possession of cocaine. Ware also must pay $6,695.39 in restitution, $1,500 in fines and faces five years of post-release supervision.
n Kitchens sentenced Robert Boyd, deemed an habitual offender, to five years in the MDOC without the possibility of early release, for felony shoplifting. Boyd also must pay a $5,000 fine.
n Kitchens sentenced Miguel Chavez to 10 years in the MDOC for grand larceny. Chavez also must pay $398.30 in restitution.
n Kitchens sentenced Carlos Lane to five years in the MDOC for grand larceny and ordered Lane to pay $1,842.35 in restitution. Lane also faces five years of post-release supervision.
n Kitchens sentenced Timothy Albert to two years in the MDOC for fondling. Albert also faces five years of post-release supervision, must pay a $1,000 fine and must register as a sex offender.
n Kitchens sentenced Brian Tamvakis to 20 years, but suspended the sentence and gave him five years probation, for possession of marijuana with intent to distribute. Tamkavis also must pay a $2,500 fine.
n Coleman sentenced Alfonso Drake to seven years in the MDOC, but suspended the sentence and gave Drake five years probation, for burglary of an automobile. Drake also must pay a $500 fine.
n Kitchens did not accept the guilty plea of Tyler Dean Spears for one count of burglary of a business and instead gave Spears five years probation. Spears also must pay $653.06 in restitution and a $400 fine.
n Howard sentenced Debbie Pickle to five years in the MDOC, but suspended the sentence and instead gave Pickle five years probation, for possession of 15 grams or more of Pseudoephedrine with intent to manufacture methamphetamine. Pickle also must pay a $750 fine.
n Howard sentenced Joseph B. Pennell to 10 years in the MDOC, but suspended the sentence and gave Pennell one year in Oktibbeha Count Jail and five years probation, for attempted burglary of a dwelling. Pennell also must pay a $1,000 fine.
n Kitchens did not accept the guilty plea of Anthony Grayer for one count of burglary of a building and instead gave Grayer five years probation. Grayer also must pay $6,695.39 in restitution and a $250 fine.
n Coleman sentenced Jon Lee Nunnley to two years in the MDOC, but suspended the sentence and gave Nunnley two years probation, for cyberstalking. Nunnley also must pay a $5,000 fine.
n Kitchens sentenced Lemichael Reed to seven years in the MDOC, but suspended the sentence and gave Reed five years probation, for burglary of a building. Reed also must pay $4,300 in restitution and a $250 fine.
n Kitchens declined to accept the guilty plea of Stephanie Shackelford for one count of false pretense and instead gave her three years probation. Shackelford also must pay $2,476.64 in restitution and a $100 fine.
n Kitchens sentenced Isreal Ealy to 10 years in the MDOC for one count of sale of Hydrocodone and one count of sale of Hydrocodone within 1,500 feet of a church. The two 10-year sentences are to run concurrently. Ealy also must pay $15,000 in fines and faces five years of post-release supervision.
n Christopher Harrell pleaded guilty to the sale of more than 30 grams of marijuana and is set to be sentenced Monday.
n Shanda Edmonds pleaded guilty to possession of precursors with conspiracy to manufacture meth and is set to be sentenced Thursday.
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