Mistrial in Cook Tractor company thefts
Published 12:30 am Saturday, December 4, 2010
A mistrial was declared this week in Warren County Circuit Court in the trial of a Vicksburg businessman accused of grand larceny.
Timothy Wilson, 43, 527 Feld St., had been charged with stealing a 2001 Chevrolet Duramax pickup, a 16-foot double-axle Barrentine trailer and two zero-turn lawn mowers from Cook Tractor on U.S. 80 in 2007.
Wilson owns a lawn and tree care company, said Assistant District Attorney Lane Campbell, lead prosecutor. Two men who claimed to have participated in the theft were among those who testified against Wilson, Campbell said.
Jurors reported being unable to agree on a decision, and a mistrial was declared by presiding Judge Isadore Patrick. Jurors were reportedly split, 9 to 3, but it was not known if the majority favored conviction or a not guilty verdict.
“We fully intend to re-try Mr. Wilson.” said District Attorney Ricky Smith. “We believe the evidence is clear that he was involved in the theft of property from Cook Tractor.”
All items had been found in Biloxi and returned to their owner, Campbell said.
Also in circuit court for the week ending Friday:
• Dee Antoinette Leach, 24, 1201 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd, was found guilty of violating probation and sentenced by Patrick to five years in prison, including the Mississippi Department of Corrections extended drug and alcohol program, followed by two years in the Intensive Supervision Program (house arrest), plus fines, fees and restitution totaling $6,112.46. Leach was arrested Jan. 1, 2008, for felony malicious mischief.
• Yvetta Shorter Slade, 54, 644 Fort Hill Drive, pleaded guilty to embezzlement and was sentenced by Patrick to one day in jail followed by three years of probation, plus a $1,000 fine, $322.50 in court costs and $4,249 in restitution. Slade was arrested Aug. 13, 2009.
• Barry Gene Stocks, 57, 6075 Oak Ridge Road, pleaded guilty to sexual battery of a child under 14 and was sentenced by Patrick to eight years in prison followed by five years of probation, a $3,000 fine, $322.50 in costs and $5,000 to the Mississippi victim’s compensation fund. He was ordered to have no contact with the victim personally, electronically or through others. Stocks was indicted in May by the grand jury.