Judge sets $150,000 bond for woman accused of murder

Published 9:58 am Friday, September 16, 2016

A Vicksburg woman was in the Warren County Jail Friday in lieu of $150,000 bond and charged with first-degree murder in the Monday night shooting death of her husband.

Judge Toni Terrett set the bail for Becky Gail Harris, 46, 610 Smedes St., at an initial appearance in Municipal Court Thursday afternoon. Harris is accused of shooting her husband, 61-year-old Alfred “Stan” Harris, in the back of the head during an argument at the couple’s home.

If convicted on the charge, she would be sentenced to life in prison, Terrett said.

Email newsletter signup

Sign up for The Vicksburg Post's free newsletters

Check which newsletters you would like to receive
  • Vicksburg News: Sent daily at 5 am
  • Vicksburg Sports: Sent daily at 10 am
  • Vicksburg Living: Sent on 15th of each month

Harris’ attorney, Travis T. Vance, argued for a smaller bond, telling Terrett Harris had family in the community and was not a flight risk.

“She’s never been in trouble before,” he said. “Bond should not be punishment.”

Police took Harris into custody after the shooting and she was held at the Issaquena County Correction Center during the three-day police investigation into the case. She was charged Wednesday.

Officers were called about 10 p.m. Monday to the Smedes Street area about a shooting, and as they arrived on scene, Harris flagged them down and reported a shooting occurred inside her home. Officers found Alfred Harris dead in a bedroom. Wednesday, investigators received a report from the pathologist at the Mississippi Crime Lab indicating Harris’ death was a homicide.

According to initial reports, the shooting was the result of an argument between the couple.

The cause of the argument had not been determined, and police did not know if the couple had a history of domestic violence.

About John Surratt

John Surratt is a graduate of Louisiana State University with a degree in general studies. He has worked as an editor, reporter and photographer for newspapers in Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama. He has been a member of The Vicksburg Post staff since 2011 and covers city government. He and his wife attend St. Paul Catholic Church and he is a member of the Port City Kiwanis Club.

email author More by John