Brutal rape tops cases for grand jury to hear

Published 11:14 am Monday, January 23, 2012

A brutal rape that spurred Vicksburg police investigators to go door-to-door seeking clues, and a shooting and robbery that resulted in a capital murder charge are among the criminal cases Warren County grand jurors convening this week are expected to review.

Charged with the Oct. 26 rape, beating and burglary of a disabled woman in her Drummond Street home was Eddie Lee Harris, 28, 1203 North St. His cousin, Charles Harris, 20, of the same address, was charged with burglary in the case.

“We anticipate presenting the evidence against both defendants to the grand jury and asking for indictments against them,” said District Attorney Ricky Smith.

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If indicted, tried and convicted, Eddie Lee Harris faces life plus 25 years in prison. And though charged only with burglary, Charles Harris “potentially faces life plus 25 years, if a jury believed he was an accessory and knew the woman was in the home,” said the DA.

Eddie Lee Harris has been held without bond in the Warren County Jail since his arrest Dec. 15 on unrelated auto burglary charges. He became a suspect in the rape case that day, police Chief Walter Armstrong has said.

Bond was set at $50,000 for Charles Harris, but he remains in an unidentified jail outside of Warren County, Sheriff Martin Pace said.

Rondell Galvin, 20, 209 Overlook Drive, is accused of capital murder and robbery in the July 15 death of William Jones, 20, 280 Curry St.

Investigators believe Jones was robbed of an undisclosed amount of cash and then shot around 2:15 a.m. outside the home where he lived with his parents. If convicted of capital murder, Galvin could face the death penalty.

Galvin’s co-defendant, James Walker, 37, 33 Johnson St., was charged with being an accessory after the fact, a crime that carries a possible five-year prison sentence, said Smith.

The panel of 18 grand jurors was chosen this morning from a pool of about 250 registered voters and sworn in by presiding Judge M. James Chaney. They will review about 100 criminal cases and issue indictments if there is enough evidence to go to trial. If indicted, defendants will be arraigned, or formally advised of the charges against them and given a trial date, beginning Friday in circuit court.

Smith said other cases jurors might review include the prescription fraud charges against Dr. Lawrence F. Chenier, 58, and Pattie Carr, 41, both of 100 Colonial Drive. Chenier and Carr were arrested Sept. 29, each charged with 300 counts of controlled substance fraud in acquisition and one count of conspiracy to commit controlled substance fraud in acquisition. Each count carries a possible five-year sentence, said Smith.

Jurors could also review the case against Julius Hebron, 62, 104 Hillside Circle, charged with aggravated driving under the influence after a Jan. 2 wreck that killed Andrea Michelle “Shelly” Guider, 105 Grey Oaks Drive.

In addition to reviewing evidence in criminal cases, jurors will tour the Warren County Jail, Youth Court and Children’s Shelter and meet with Judge Johnny Price and other county officials. They will also prepare a report of recommendations for the Board of Supervisors.