City man charged in fatal robbery goes to trial today
Published 11:01 am Monday, March 26, 2012
Jury selection was expected to begin today in the trial of a Vicksburg man accused in an armed robbery during which his accomplice was shot to death.
Corey Thompson, 26, 4880 U.S. 80, was indicted in November on two counts of armed robbery in a robbery on May 1 at Confederate Ridge Apartments, 780 U.S. 61 North. He was expected to go to trial today before Judge M. James Chaney.
Thompson initially was charged with capital murder in the death of Maurice Morris, 19, 2228 Grove St. Morris and Thompson were believed to have robbed at gunpoint two men at the apartments. One of the victims shot and killed Morris, police said.
Victims told police that Thompson and Morris fired at them with shotguns, police have said.
Two shotguns and a pistol were recovered following the shooting, police Capt. Bobby Stewart said.
A Warren County grand jury declined to indict Thompson for capital murder in Morris’ death.
While Mississippi statute allows a capital murder charge if a death occurs in the commission of another felony, District Attorney Ricky Smith has said the grand jury felt that the charge, generally used when the victim of a crime dies in its commission, did not apply in this case.
Thompson also was shot. He was booked into jail after his release from River Region Medical Center.
Morris’ body was found May 2 about 50 yards from the apartment building, and he was wearing a mask.
If convicted, Thompson could face life in prison.
An unrelated manslaughter trial set for today was moved to October, Smith said.
Trial for Annette Scott, 45, 2910 Arcadia Place, is set for Oct. 1. She is accused of stabbing to death her live-in boyfriend, Michael Terrence Smith, on June 13 at the couple’s home.
Scott was indicted for manslaughter-heat of passion in November. If convicted, Scott faces a possible 20-year prison sentence.