The report of the grand jury that was recalled May 19 has been released by the Webster County Circuit Clerk’s Office. The grand jurors, who were empaneled in January, submitted this report of their investigations: “Having been in session for one day, we have investigated 23 reported violations of law, and have questioned 10 witnesses, after which we have returned into open court 19 true bills recorded on 13 indictments; three cases were no-billed and one case was remanded to the lower court. “Now that we have completed our investigations, and have reported the results to the court and to our fellow citizens, we request that we be finally discharged.” Alternate Foreperson Tracy Palmer signed the report. June Circuit Court term Circuit Clerk Sherry Henderson stated her office is in the process of preparing for the next term of Webster County Circuit Court, which begins June 15. Henderson, in a social media post, referred to the Mississippi Supreme Court’s Emergency Administrative Order 11, which was issued May 7. The order addresses a schedule for resumption of jury trials, among other things. According to the order, judges may instruct their clerks that jury summons be sent to jurors that would be returnable on or after May 18 in counties where two or fewer deaths attributed to COVID-19 by the state Department of Health had been recorded by May 7. Webster County has seen one death from COVID-19, which occurred in March. Henderson said summons were to be mailed to those listed on the court venire after Tuesday. She noted that, as always, there are reasons one may not attend jury duty: 1) you wish to defer to the next court term; 2) you wish to claim your age of 65 or older; 3) you have moved out of the county; 4) medical excuses from your doctor — this will include any illnesses and/or personal hardships related to COVID-19. “You will be required to bring and wear your mask. Most of us have a mask in order to go to grocery stores, etc. However, if you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you,” Henderson wrote. “We will have hand sanitizer and sanitizer wipes available. As we get closer to the June term, the court will decide if and how they wish to bring you into the courtroom. Your safety and ours will be the courts upmost concern,” she added.
