Circuit court sets trial dates in beating, robbery cases

Published 12:04 am Friday, August 13, 2010

NATCHEZ — Trial dates for two suspects accused of beating and robbing an elderly couple in February and two suspects accused of robbing Britton & Koontz Bank in May were set by Circuit Court Judge Forrest “Al” Johnson, Thursday.

Deon D. Woods, 19, and LaKendrick D. Allen, 22, were each arraigned for two grand jury indictments of aggravated assault and one indictment of armed robbery.

Woods’ trial is set for Nov. 16 with attorney Stanley Taylor of Natchez as his lawyer. Woods’ bond remained at $500,000.

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Allen’s trial is set for Nov. 23 with attorney Michael Winfield of Vicksburg as his lawyer. Allen’s bond is set at $100,000.

Woods and Allen were arrested in connection with a Feb. 12 home invasion in which an elderly couple was assaulted at their house on Second Street.

The elderly couple was at home when two men reportedly knocked on their door. When the man answered, he was allegedly pistol-whipped by Woods, who also reportedly pistol-whipped the woman when she tried to call 911.

In a separate case, Mamie R. White, 55, was arraigned on a grand jury indictment for accessory after the fact to armed robbery, in connection with the robbery of Britton & Koontz Bank on U.S. 61.

White’s trial is set for Nov. 23. Her bond remains at $55,000.

Elbert J. Dukes, 51, was arraigned on a grand jury indictment for armed robbery.

He was charged as the alleged getaway driver in the May bank robbery.

Duke’s trial is set for Nov. 16. His bond remains at $125,000.

Other cases in Thursday’s Adams County Circuit Court hearing included:

4Jamon V. Williams, 17, was arraigned on a grand jury indictment of manslaughter after being transferred to circuit court from youth court.

Williams’ trial is set for Nov. 9. His bond will remain at $100,000.

Williams allegedly struck a fatal blow to John “Body Man” Henderson on Madison Street in September 2009.

4 Johnson denied requests to reduce sentences for stepbrothers Jarred Rebold, 26, and Jade Neal, 21.

Rebold and Neal plead guilty last month to three counts of burglary associated with a rash of 17 car burglaries beginning in 2008.

Rebold was sentenced to serve 51 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

Neal was sentenced to 21 years in MDOC.

As many as 15 family members and friends appeared in court to support Rebold and Neal.

Neal’s father and Rebold’s stepfather asked Johnson to show mercy and reduce the sentences of the two men. Their mother and sister, Neal’s wife and a close friend also addressed the judge.

Those close to the brothers told the judge Rebold and Neal stole because they were on drugs, but both had changed since serving the last three months in jail.

They also asked the judge to consider Neal’s small children and the effects on Rebold of his girlfriend’s recent death in a car accident their sentences.

Johnson said he gave the case much consideration and denied the motion to reconsider sentencing.

He said he examined past criminal history, involvement in the crime and impact on the victims of the crime to determine the sentencing.

“It’s a tough case,” Johnson said.

He said it is unfortunate that the family of convicted criminals is often punished the most.