Judge recuses herself in Dunn stabbing
death case
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
Judge
Jenifer Clason has recused herself from the case of Patishi Kirk, who is
accused of the stabbing death of her then boyfriend, Vincent Dunn, in 2010.
Court
documents say the reason for her withdrawal “may create an appearance of
impropriety.”
“Considering
that the Division A Judge, Jenifer Ward Clason, to whom these cases are
assigned by local rule, has long standing relationships with family members
interested in the outcome of these proceedings,” the Order of Recusation, filed
Friday, January 4, states.
The
case was continued with no court date set.
“No
date has been set, and the case has been continued, which is usually what happens
when a new judge is assigned,” said 26th Judicial District Assistant District
Attorney Danny Newell.
The
case has been reassigned to Judge Jimmy Teat.
Kirk is
accused of the July 2010 stabbing of Vincent Dunn, with whom she was living
with at the time. According to earlier reports in The Guardian-Journal, Kirk
admitted to stabbing Dunn but gave no motive as to why she did it.
Dunn’s
body was found in the bedroom of his residence on Saturday, July 3, 2010, and
evidence was collected at the scene and documented.
Her
case has been continued several times over the last two years, and has since
been in trouble with the law again. In May 2012, she was issued a citation for
simple battery for fighting in an incident in Ruston where Ruston Police say
she and her boyfriend at that time were arguing. In August 2012, she was
arrested again by Homer Police for aggravated assault following an incident at
Mayfield Park.
According
to police, witnesses claimed to have seen Kirk at Mayfield Park on Sunday,
August 12, 2012, riding around the park holding a gun out of a car window.
Officer
Scott Glenn was dispatched to the Homer Police Department to take a complaint
from the victim. While at the park, she engaged in a conversation with Kirk.
Kirk then got into a vehicle and backed out holding a gun out of the window.
Homer
Police Chief Russell Mills said he received information from individuals
pertaining to possible witnesses on the following day. On Thursday night,
August 16, another witness came forward and gave a statement to Glenn. On that
Friday, a warrant was obtained and she was arrested on the following Monday.
Municipal term limits topic of public
hearing
MICHELLE BATES, Editor
A
public hearing was held shortly before the beginning of the regularly scheduled
Homer Town Council meeting to discuss doing away with term limits for the mayor
and council members.
In
December, Homer Mayor Alecia Smith said the issue was discussed, saying the
council and mayor have term limits, but the chief of police does not.
District
4 Councilwoman Carlette Sanford spoke up saying, “I thought the people were
supposed to decide on term limits.”
Town
Attorney Marcus Patillo said the issue was supposed to be put before the people
to make sure they don’t have a problem with it, but that’s what the public
hearing is for.
No one
spoke up at the public hearing in favor or against it. The council never
amended the agenda to adopt a resolution or introduction of an ordinance to do
away with term limits, so it was not brought up during the regular meeting.
The
Town of Homer is under a special legislative charter, which is silent on the
issue, only stating that the mayor and council serve a four-year term.
It
says, “There shall be one (1) mayor and five (5) selectmen for the Town of
Homer, Louisiana, who shall serve a term of office of four (4) years.”
According
to research, even the Lawrason Act, which many municipalities are governed
under is silent on term limits. (The Lawrason Act is the body of laws a
municipality must fall back on if it is under its own charter or a home-rule
charter, and said charter is silent on an issue.)
This is
not the first time it’s come up, though. In 2000, a public hearing was held to
do away with the ordinance that placed term limits on the mayor and council.
The council, in 1993, adopted an ordinance placing term limits on themselves
and the mayor, according to an article written in The Guardian-Journal December
7, 2000. Council members and the mayor can serve two consecutive terms if they
aren’t voted out after the first term. If they serve two consecutive terms,
then they must sit out for a period of four years (one term) before they can
run again.
Once
the regular meeting began, District 11 Rep. Patrick Jefferson visited the Homer
Town Council to give them and the community a heads up about what’s coming in
this year’s state fiscal session, which begins April 8. Top among that list is
gun control in the wake of the Newtown, Conn., mass shooting that killed 20
children and six adults in December 2012.
However,
here at home, the state’s budget will be one of the top priorities with a $165
million deficit that must be brought into balance.
He said
they’d also look at money needed to sustain the state.
Legislators
will also look at all the rebates the state gives to businesses, what works and
what does not. Every facet of our spending is going up, and at some point,
we’re going to have to make some more difficult decisions. There are two main
areas of our budget that aren’t protected, and one of those is our healthcare,
and that’s unfortunate, as well as education.”
They
will go into this session knowing that healthcare will be compromised even
more. In that same way, the legislature will be looking to bring up revenue to
sustain the state, he said.
He also
mentioned the Boys and Girls Clubs of Timber Ridge will get funding this year
due to its tutorial program, which he said is one of the best in the state. He
said they will get about $50,000 to $75,000, but it’s only for one year. The
good news is, it has a chance of being re-funded again next year.
In
other news, Jefferson mentioned the capital outlay funding the town will
receive this year. Mayor Smith said the town had originally requested $600,000
to repair the roof and renovate an area of city hall for new council chambers;
however, they only got $150,000 and the entire amount will have to go towards
repairing the roof of City Hall. They received a letter stating they would get
the $150,000 in capital outlay.
“It
hasn’t been finalized yet, but it is one grant we did receive,” she said during her mayor’s report. “It’s going to take
approximately $600,000 to finish the project, and for the $150,000 we did
receive, there’s a $37,500 match from the town.”
That
money will be used to remove the clay tiles on the roof, replace the decking
and then replace the clay tiles on the roof.
Smith
said they will be resubmitting an application for capital outlay funds to
renovate for new council chambers.
In
other news, the council amended the agenda to include:
•
Resolution for the CWEF grant for up to $35,000. The resolution gives Homer’s
grant writer Shelly King permission to submit applications for that grant.
• Bond
Ordinance and resolution for issuance of $500,000 for the hospital revenue
bonds.
•
Resolution making application to the State Bond Commission for the water meter
project.
The
mayor introduced an ordinance for the hospital for the sale of hospital revenue
bonds to purchase the electronic medical record system. The purchase was
approved last year, but according to attorney Wes Shafto, the hospital has just
now gotten set up to handle the new system.
The
resolution is to begin the process of replacing the water meters in Homer, and
it started out as a lease program, Shafto said.
“We
started it as a lease program, but we were unable to sell it as a lease
program, mainly because revenues in the system were so tight,” he said. “Now
that the town has raised its water rates, we have two institutions that are
interested in purchasing these bonds.”
Citizens
Bank in Homer and Government Capital are the two entities, he said.
“A
recent development, which is good news, is that the engineer Jim Hagan and I
spoke with the DEQ,” he said. “DEQ is considering including this as part of
that loan, which will be .095 percent interest on the loan.”
Even if
the DEQ doesn’t allow them to roll it into their loan, the water meter
replacement project will move forward anyway with the purchase of the bonds.
The water meter project will also allow the town to put meters on all the
places that do not have them, the mayor said.
The DEQ
has approved $2.6 million in a grant to replace sewer lines throughout the
town. Smith said $1.6 million will be financed at .985 percent, and $1 million
of the project is the grant. Although the $1 million has been approved, the project
has not. Once the project itself is approved by the State Bond Commission, the
town will get the $1 million.
One of
the conditions of the grant is that the town must follow certain guidelines,
and if they fail to follow those guidelines, then the town has to repay the
money.
The
resolution to apply to the State Bond Commission for the aforementioned water
meter project was also adopted.
The
council also approved the reappointments of Town Treasurer Shenovia Harris and
Town Clerk Lisa Foster, who is currently off on maternity leave.
The
mayor also introduced new hospital board appointments Jack Hightower and
Niekitsha Ridley Jenkins. Dr. Pat Bates said her schedule would not allow her
to serve on a weekly basis, which is now how often the hospital board meets.
She was to serve in the mayor’s absence as her designee.
In the
mayor’s report, Smith recognized the Mayor’s Youth Council who attended the
meeting.
During
the public comment portion of the meeting, Azzie Olds said she was concerned,
because a citizen in the area in which she lives continues to repeatedly fail
to stop at the stop sign at the intersection of Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
and Hill Street. Homer Officers in attendance said they would patrol that area
more often and check it out.
The council
then entered into executive session to discuss long-term and strategic
planning. When they rose out of executive session, no action was taken and the
meeting was adjourned.
The
next meeting of the Homer Town Council will be at 6 p.m., Monday, February 4,
in council chambers inside city hall. For more information, or for questions,
please call their office at 318-927-3555.
Long investigation ends in four drug
arrests
Arrests involve multiple agency efforts
The Guardian-Journal
An
investigation involving the cooperation of multiple agencies led to the arrests
of several people on drug charges.
According
to a press release from the Claiborne Narcotic Enforcement Team (CNET), Sheriff
Ken Bailey announced on Wednesday, December 19, CNET concluded an investigation
in the Junction City area with the arrest of four people. According to CNET
Coordinator James Spillers, CNET agents initiated an investigation in Junction
City back in March 2012.
As a
result of this investigation, CNET was able to present evidence to a Claiborne
Parish Grand Jury and obtain indictments against six people in the Junction
City area. These individuals were indicted for multiple counts of distribution
of Schedule I CDS marijuana and Schedule II CDS cocaine.
Spillers
advised this was a very difficult case to work because Junction City covers
multiple jurisdictions covering two parishes, one county and two states.
Because of this, five of the subjects indicted do not live in Claiborne Parish;
however, they did choose to conduct illegal activity here.
On that
Wednesday morning, the US Marshal’s Service Fugitive Task Force in Shreveport
joined forces with CNET for the purpose of locating and arresting subjects
wanted as a result of this investigation.
This
joint effort led to the arrests of:
•
Derwin Farris, three counts of distribution of Schedule II CDS cocaine in Union
County, Ark.,
•
William Ray Noble, three counts of distribution of Schedule II CDS cocaine at
his place of employment in Claiborne Parish,
• Terry
Henderson, one count of distribution Schedule II CDS cocaine at his residence
in Union Parish,
•
Demetris Malone, two counts of distribution of Schedule I CDS marijuana and
three counts of distribution of Schedule II CDS cocaine after he was located in
El Dorado, Ark., by the U.S. Marshal’s Service Fugitive Task Force El Dorado.
All
subjects were booked within the jurisdiction in which they were arrested. Those
arrested outside of Claiborne Parish were booked as fugitives pending transfer
to Claiborne Parish.
Earlier
this year, two other suspects, Earnest James Hill, of Bernice, and Taneisha S.
Brown, of El Dorado, were arrested as a result of this investigation. Hill was
charged with three counts of distribution of Schedule II CDS cocaine, and Brown
was charged with one count of distribution of Schedule II CDS cocaine.
These
arrests took place in Junction City, in Claiborne Parish.
The
success of this investigation is the result of law enforcement agencies working
together. Bailey and Spillers want to thank the Union Parish Sheriff’s Office,
the Union County Sheriff’s Office, U.S. Marshal’s Service and CNET personnel
for their assistance and hard work in making these cases and arrests.
To
report suspicious or illegal activity, concerned citizens may call CNET at
318-927-9800, the DEA/Louisiana State Police at 318-676-4080, the Homer Police
Department at 318-927-4000, the Haynesville Police Department at 318-624-1355,
or the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office at 318-927-2011.
Any and
all information is considered confidential and is greatly appreciated.
One seriously injured in crash
The Guardian-Journal
An
Athens man escaped serious injuries while another didn’t in a motor vehicle
accident last week.
According
to a press release from Louisiana State Police Troop G, the accident occurred
shortly after 9 p.m., Wednesday, January 2, on U.S. 79 about nine miles south
of Highway 9.
The
preliminary investigation revealed a 2004 Nissan Frontier, driven by Jodie
Brazzel, 28, of Athens, was traveling south on U.S. 79 when it exited the
roadway to the left, struck a concrete culvert and overturned.
Brazzel
was not wearing his seatbelt during the crash and was ejected from the vehicle.
He sustained moderate injuries.
The
passenger, Barry Adkins, 50, of Minden, was also not wearing his seatbelt during
the crash and was trapped in the vehicle, sustaining life-threatening injuries.
Both
Brazzel and Adkins were transported to a local hospital for treatment.
Impairment
is suspected to be a factor in this crash. A toxicology sample was obtained and
submitted for analysis. The accident remains under investigation.
According
to statistics from Troop G, in 2012, troopers have investigated 29 fatal
crashes, and of those, 28 percent involved impaired drivers. The Louisiana
State Police wants to take this time to remind you that if you get behind the
wheel of a vehicle while impaired, you not only increase your chances of being
involved in a serious injury or fatal crash, but you put others at risk as
well.
Don’t
let a wrong choice be your last choice. Drive sober or get pulled over.
Vigil honoring MLK set for January 21
The
Claiborne Parish NAACP will host a vigil in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
on Monday, January 21, at Lane Chapel CME Church at 6:30 p.m.
We are
asking the community to join us in this celebration.
The
tentative schedule will include a march from U.S. 79 (the front) to Lane Chapel
where the services will be.
Sportsmans Paradise
‘The State We’re In’
Annual Chamber Banquet set for January
28
The Guardian-Journal
The
Claiborne Chamber of Commerce will present its 48th annual banquet this year
with the theme “Sportsman’s Paradise: The State We’re In.”
Set to
begin at 6:30 p.m., at Homer City Hall, the meal will be provided by Upper
Crust Catering.
Banquet
reservations are available for $35 per person. All reservations must be paid in
advance to confirm seating. Reservations will NOT be available at the door the
night of the event. Please return your reservation card as soon as possible, as
seating is limited to 246. Business dress shall be appropriate for the evening.
As in
prior years, sponsorship opportunities are available. All sponsors will be
recognized at the banquet and will be listed in the event program. The various
sponsorship levels and benefits are as follows:
•
Diamond Sponsor: $1,000 receives special recognition, 12 tickets and reserved
tables.
•
Platinum Sponsor: $700 receives eight tickets and a reserved table.
• Gold
Sponsor: $400 receives four tickets and a reserved table.
•
Silver Sponsor: $200 receives four tickets and reserved seating.
•
Bronze Sponsor: $100 receives two tickets and reserved seating.
To get
a reservation card, please contact the Claiborne Chamber of Commerce at
318-927-3271 and check the appropriate box if interested in being a banquet
sponsor and list the individuals who will be attending.
This
year’s speaker will be Robert J. Barham, secretary of the state’s Department of
Wildlife and Fisheries.
Barham,
of Oak Ridge, has served as a state senator for Louisiana’s 33rd district,
representing Morehouse, Union, East Carroll, West Carroll and parts of
Claiborne and Ouachita Parishes, from 1994 until the end of 2007. In the
Senate, he served as chairman of the Homeland Security Committee and was a
member of the Senate Agriculture, Forestry, Aquaculture and Rural Development
Committee, the Senate Natural Resources Committee, the Senate Retirement
Committee, and he served as a member of the Legislative Rural Task Force.
Barham
also previously served as chairman of the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs
Committee for eight years.
The
secretary also served as a councilman for the Town of Oak Ridge from 1989 to
1994, and before that, he served as mayor of the town from 1982 to 1988. He
also formerly served in the U.S. Army from 1970 to 1972.
In
1999, Barham received the Outstanding Legislator of the Year Award from the
Louisiana Wildlife Federation and the National Award for Conservation of
Natural Resources from the Daughters of the American Revolution. Barham was
awarded the Outstanding Individual in Agriculture Award from the Louisiana Ag
Council in 2000 and the Legislator of the Year Award from the New Orleans
Chamber of Commerce in 2002. Barham has also been honored with the John D.
Newsom Award for Wildlife Stewardship and the LSU Extension Service Award for
Outstanding Leadership.
Barham
is a member of the LSU Ag Center Advisory Committee for Northeast Louisiana and
is a past chairman of the LSU College of Agriculture Development Committee. He
is a 2007 inductee into the LSUAA Hall of Distinction, and his family sponsored
a scholarship in Wildlife Management and an exhibit in the LSU Museum of
Natural History.
Barham
has a bachelor’s of science degree from LSU, a master’s degree from Northeast
Louisiana University and is a graduate of LSU’s Ag Leadership School.
Two arrested in fight at U.S. 79 local
bar
The Guardian-Journal
The
investigation into an assault culminated in the arrests of two Homer men.
According
to a press release from the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, on November 26,
2012,Deputy J.T. Williams received a complaint from a victim regarding an
assault that occurred at Whistle Stop Bar.
On
November 24, 2012, the victim was in an altercation with Colby Perot, 24.
During the fight, Mark Perot, 55, got involved and assaulted the victim too.
The
victim was transported to Minden Medical Center by private vehicle and treated
for a facial fracture and other head trauma.
Detective
Adrian Malone was assigned to the case and conducted an investigation.
On
Thursday, December 13, 2012, warrants were obtained for the arrests of Colby
and Mark Perot charging each with second degree battery.
Mark
Perot turned himself in to the sheriff’s office on Monday, December 17, 2012,
and Colby Perot turned himself in on Christmas Eve. Both men were booked into
the Claiborne Parish Detention Center, and bond was set at $25,000.
Altercation hospitalizes one, suspects
flee scene
The Guardian-Journal
Two men
are charged with aggravated second degree battery following an investigation
into an altercation that hospitalized one man.
According
to a press release from the Claiborne Parish Sheriff’s Office, on Saturday,
January 5, Deputies Shane Huffstetler and Heath Tingle were dispatched to
Valhalla Bar. Upon arrival, the two learned an altercation had taken place
which left the victim with injuries to his face and hospitalized.
Deputies
discovered Jaron Adam Wingers, 20, and Josh Winters, 23, were involved and had
fled the scene.
Witness
statements were taken and an investigation was conducted.
As a
result of the fight, Jaron and Josh Winters were arrested and booked into the
Claiborne Parish Detention Center. Both men were charged with aggravated second
degree battery with bonds to be set.
La. Lions Eye Foundation raffle underway
The
Louisiana Lions Eye Foundation just kicked off a once-in-a-lifetime super
raffle. This is a “Super Bowl/Mardi Gras” package.
The
Super Bowl will kick off in New Orleans the same week as Mardi Gras.
The
lucky winner will have won:
• Two
tickets to the Super Bowl,
• One
week at the Chateau Orleans in the French Quarter from February 1-8,
• Two
tickets to a major Mardi Gras Krewe “Private Float Viewing Party,
• Two
tickets to the Intercontinental Hotel Private Mardi Gras Grandstand,
• Two
tickets on Southwest Airlines (subject to availability).
Please
note: The tickets will say a “weekend stay,” but it is for a “full week.” The
drawing will be held Tuesday, January 22.
To get
a ticket, please get in touch with the Homer Lions Club President Pat Gladney
or contact the Louisiana Lions Eye Foundation at 1-800-441-LION (5466) for
additional tickets. Also, tickets can be purchased at www.LionsRaffle.org.
