Murder suspect remains jailed, under $2 million bond

Published 6:07 pm Monday, December 2, 2019

Bond has been set at $2 million for a Vicksburg man charged with first-degree murder in the Nov. 27 shooting death of Courtney Dewayne Anderson.

Municipal Judge Angela Carpenter set the bond for Jason Kyle Skinner, 28, at an initial appearance Saturday in Vicksburg Municipal Court. Skinner has asked for a court-appointed attorney.

Ninth Circuit District Attorney Ricky Smith said the Mississippi Supreme Court in 2017 issued guidelines for setting bail under the Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure, which governs criminal court activity.

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Smith said the rules say, “Everyone in almost all situations has a right to a bond. The court and the Legislature are pushing that everyone should be eligible for bond.”

According to the Mississippi Code of Criminal Procedure, the recommended bond for a capital crime like first-degree murder is $25,000 to no bail allowed.

Skinner is accused of shooting Anderson, 38, 1415 Main St., Nov. 27 at a home at 3708 Halls Ferry Road. He remains in the Warren County Jail.

According to police reports, officers responding to a call about 3:56 p.m. Wednesday that a person had been shot at 3708 Halls Ferry Road arrived to find Anderson lying on the floor of the home with a single gunshot wound to the chest.

He was pronounced dead at the scene by Warren County Coroner Doug Huskey.

Lt. Johnnie Edwards with the Vicksburg Police Department said a motive for the shooting has not been determined pending further investigation. He said a shotgun was recovered at the scene, but police do not know if it was the weapon used in the shooting.

Skinner reportedly fled the scene after the shooting, beginning an hours-long search by police and sheriff’s deputies.

“We appreciate all the assistance given to us by [Warren County] Sheriff Martin Pace and his deputies,” Vicksburg Police Chief Milton Moore said. “It was totally a team effort on the part of both agencies.”

About 8:30 p.m., police received an alarm call at Crossway Baptist Church, 1825 U.S. 61 South, where officers found an open door.

Law enforcement officials surrounded the church and waited for Skinner to come out.

Skinner left through a door on the south side of the building where he was taken into custody without incident. He was not armed, Edwards said.

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.

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