WALTHALL — Nine defendants indicted by a grand jury in December on felony charges have been arraigned in Webster County Circuit Court. Two were later sentenced.
The previous grand jury returned the indictments (formal written charges) after being recalled Dec. 12. Court records show nine defendants pleaded not guilty during arraignments Dec. 19 before Circuit Judge Devo Lancaster. Those arraigned, their charges and bonds were:
Phillip Miller, 48, aggravated domestic violence and kidnapping. Attorney Rodney Ray appeared as retained counsel and bond was set at $100,000.
Miller was a city police officer when he was arrested June 27 on a misdemeanor charge of simple assault/domestic violence. His case was turned over to the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and he was not rehired with other city employees in July.
Joshua Montez “Josh” Agnew, 35, possession of a weapon by a felon. Attorney Jeffrey Hosford appeared as retained counsel and bond was set at $25,000.
Quindale Lajohn Morris, 43, malicious mischief. Attorney Hays Burchfield stood in at arraignment and will be appointed in the event Morris does not hire counsel. Bond was set at $20,000.
George Homan, 65, attempted fondling of a vulnerable adult. Burchfield appeared as retained counsel and bond was set at $10,000. Homan’s case has since been continued until the next term of court, which begins June 17
Christal Power, 33, burglary. Public Defender Stephanie Mallette was appointed as counsel and bond was set at $5,000.
Colin White, 51, possession of methamphetamine. Mallette was appointed as counsel and bond was set at $5,000.
Ralph Manus, 38, possession of methamphetamine (0.10 gram or more but less than 2 grams). Mallette was appointed as counsel and bond was set at $16,000.
Lancaster issued an amended judgment against Manus after he pleaded guilty Jan. 8.
He received a suspended three-year sentence with the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the judge placed him on supervised probation for three years. Lancaster further ordered that Manus complete a drug and alcohol treatment program supervised by MDOC.
Michael Bruce, 54, building burglary. Burchfield was appointed as counsel and bond was set at $5,000. Bruce was sentenced Jan. 10 after pleading guilty that day. He received a suspended four-year sentence with MDOC and Lancaster placed him on supervised probation for that length of time.
Manus and Bruce must also pay all court costs, fees and assessments.
