Clarion-Ledger from Jackson, Mississippi • Page 15

December 6, 1996 The Clarion-Ledger 3B Assistant AG's accused killer rejects plea bargain Beverly Pettigrew Kraft Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer A plea bargain for Robert Lee Lindsey Jr. in the slaying of Assistant Attorney General Giles Bryant fell through Thursday. A hearing had been set for Thursday morning. At mid-morning, Circuit Judge James Graves said, "I've been informed they are still trying to negotiate the terms of a plea agreement." Judy Bryant of Madison, widow of the slaying victim, said Lindsey rejected a plea bargain offer for life in prison on a murder charge. "They had gotten the plea down to where they were going to give him life and not try him on any more robbery charges.

They whittled it down to this. He wouldn't accept it," Bryant said. Lindsey, 20, was acquitted by a jury in October on a robbery charge. A second robbery charge was dismissed last year. He awaits trial on a third robbery charge.

Bryant was adamantly opposed to any plea bargain offer. She wants Lindsey to face ajury and the possibility of the death penalty in the May 14, 1994, slaying of her husband. He is charged with capital murder. "We feel like it should go in the hands of the jury to make the decision," Bryant said. Giles Bryant's sister, Ann Whittemore of New Orleans, did not oppose the plea bargain offer because it would have assured a conviction.

"I'm very conservative. I can't gamble," Whittemore said. "Tom Fortner (Public Port authority board calls meeting on Lott By Joseph Ammerman you-all ran on an incident that took Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer place," Bradley said late Thursday. The Jackson County Port Au- As to what action the board might thority Board of Commissioners take against Lott, Bradley said she has called for a special meeting Sat- did not know. "I'm not privy to urday morning to discuss the con- that," Bradley said.

"The commistroversy surrounding board mem- sion requested the meeting, and ber and former state Sen. Brad Lott, that is the item mentioned. That's who was disassociated from the all I know." University of Mississippi athletic Lott has admitted using the vulprogram Wednesday. garities and apologized for them. In Lott used racial epithets and vul- an interview earlier this week, the garities toward a member of the former state senator said he is not a Mississippi State University foot- racist.

"There's no excuse for the ball team during last week's Egg language I used," he said. "I'm emBowl game between Ole Miss and barrassed for myself and my family. MSU. I wish I could take it back, but I In a Thursday news release an- can't." nouncing the meeting, Lott's name Lott directed his words during was not mentioned, but Jackson the incident at Eric Dotson of PasCounty Port Director Melody Brad- cagoula, a player on MSU's team. ley confirmed that Lott was the sub- The two have been at odds since ject of the meeting.

Dotson accused Lott of illegal regarding an article that cruiting tactics in 1994. Blown crude well capped in Louisiana The Associated Press a combination of water and crude FRANKLIN, La. A well that oil escaped from the well, aublew out last week near the lower thorities said. The well was not Atchafalaya River was brought un- burning. der control Thursday, the Coast Cenac Environmental, meanGuard said.

while, has resumed efforts to recover The well, located in a dead-end the crude that leaked into the nearcanal about eight miles northeast of by marsh. Cenac used three drum Franklin, began to spew on Nov. 26. skimmers to remove oil from the The Coast Guard made the first north canal, the Coast Guard said in public announcement of the prob- a news release. lem Tuesday.

About 17,000 gallons of "wet gas" Deaths From 2B pital. Services are 11 a.m. today at Colonial Funeral Home in Columbia with graveside services at 4 p.m. Saturday at Bridges Cemetery in Chapman, Texas. Visitation is prior to services today at the funeral home.

Dr. Patterson was a Rush County, Texas, native. He graduated from Southwestern University in Georgetown, Texas. He served in the U.S. Marine Corps on two Jima during World War ll and during the occupation of Japan.

After the war, he attended veterinary school at Texas University, graduating in 1949. He was a veterinarian in Columbia for many years and was an active member and officer of the veterinary association. Dr. Patterson was a member of Columbia Presbyterian Church and was an avid fisherman and quail hunter. Survivors include: wife, Louise; daughter, Melinda Patterson Bednarczky of Houston, Texas; and brother, Aubrey B.

Patterson of Lufkin, Texas. Memorials may be made to a favorite charity. Frank Lee Smalley retired farmer ENID Frank Lee Smalley, 75 a retired farmer, died Friday of heart disease at South Panola Community Hospital in Batesville. Services are 1 p.m. Saturday at Cooley's Mortuary with burial in Olive Ray Cemetery in Pope.

Visitation is 10 a.m.-6 p.m. today at the mortuary. Mr. Smalley was a member of Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church in Water Valley. Survivors include: wife, Annie; daughters, Catherine Hankins of Enid, Lillie Morris and Cora Ellis, both of Pope, and Kay Street of Detroit; sons, James Smalley of Courtland, David Smalley and Calvin Smalley, both of Enid, Jerry Smalley of Crowder, Bobbye Environmental damage was described as limited.

Smalley of Pope, Thomas Smalley of Batesville and Sammie Smalley of Detroit; sisters, Annie Mae Gouch of Jackson, Tess Wright and Ellen Rigland, both of Slaton, Texas, and Vee Smalley of Cleveland, Ohio; brothers, Lynell Smalley of Chicago and Mason Smalley of Memphis; and 60 grandchildren and 26 great-grandchildren. Inez Taylor homemaker PHILADELPHIA Inez Taylor, 83, a homemaker, died of congestive heart failure Wednesday at Choctaw Residential Center. Services are 11 a.m. today at McClainHays Funeral Home with burial in White Oak Cemetery. Mrs.

Taylor was a Winston County native. She lived in Neshoba County most of her life. Survivors include: son, Richard Taylor of Preston; sister, Aria Alexander of Carthage; and four grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren. Carl Edward Walley Sr. general store worker RICHTON Carl Edward Walley 71, a general store worker, died of a heart attack Wednesday at Perry County General Hospital.

Services are 2 p.m. today at Jones Funeral Home with burial in Sunset Cemetery. Mr. Walley was a member and deacon of Brewer Baptist Church. He was a member of Richton Masonic Lodge.

He had worked for B.M. Stevens Co. for more than 40 years before retiring in 1988. Survivors include: wife, Jewell; daughter, Judy Welborn of Williston, son, Carl Edward Walley Jr. of Richton; and four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Christine Walters retired shirt factory worker CRYSTAL SPRINGS Christine Wal- Health Care Professionals Join our Master of Health Science Program The Master of Health Science is designed for the individual employed in the health care field who wishes to pursue a program of graduate study in middle-level health care administration. Spring Registration begins January 6, 1997 For more information, call the Office of Graduate Studies at 925.3225 or visit our Downtown Services Office in Deposit Guaranty Plaza a Mississippi VERITAS ET VIRTUS 1828 College Defender) has done a very good job so far" defending Lindsey on other charges, she said. The trial is set for Jan. 27. If jurors convict Lindsey, they would have to choose between life in prison and the death penalty.

Since the slaying occurred before the Legislature adopted life without parole as an option, a life sentence would carry parole eligibility in 10 years. Lindsey has already spent more than 21 years in jail awaiting trial. An armed robbery charge against Lindsey in a separate case had been set to go to trial last Monday, but it was delayed after prosecutors learned that the victim's account of the time didn't match earlier statements in police reports. A similar time discrepancy in another "We feel like it should go in the hands of the jury. of the robbery charges last year resulted in a mistrial and then a dismissal of the charge.

Bryant said prosecutors asked her last week if she would go along with a plea bargain to assure a conviction. She refused. She said she was called by the district attorney's office Wednesday afternoon and told that prosecutors intended to go forward with the plea bargain offer over her objections. "I feel like I have been victimized over and over by the legal system," Bryant said. Widow Judy Bryant French Quarter rages over crime By Janet McConnaughey Associated Press Writer NEW ORLEANS The holdup and murders were an inside job not the sort of thing more police patrols could prevent.

But the triple killing launched a week of protests among French Quarter residents and business people, including a march and vigil Thursday. Several hundred people bearing signs with slogans such as "Pay more police now more," "It's the public safety, stupid," and "You dropped the ball now drop the attitude" walked from Jackson Square, the heart of the French Quarter's tourist district, to City Hall. "This is not about anger. This is about making New Orleans a peaceful place," organizer Kathleen Horn told the group before it started off. "We want to show we are for the police and for this city." Most live or work in the French Quarter.

Some came from other parts of the city to show their support. "It is even worse where I live," said James Graham, 28, who was pushing his 2-year-old son, Mike, in a stroller. "You don't see the police as much there because there's no tourists there." One group of five bars and restaurants in the Quarter closed for the afternoon so that 13 employees could join, comptroller Lonnie ters, 74, a retired shirt factory worker, died of heart failure Wednesday at Hardy Wilson Hospital in Hazlehurst. Services are 2 p.m. today at Stringer Funeral Home in Hazlehurst with burial in Harmony Cemetery.

Mrs. Walters moved to Copiah County in 1947. Survivors include: daughter, Jean Berry of Crystal Springs; sons, Jerry Cooper of Baton Rouge and Robert Maher of Plano, Texas; sister, Wilma Thompson of Magee; and 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. James P. 'Jimmy' Wells retired mechanic OXFORD James P.

"Jimmy" Wells, 80, a retired mechanic, died of heart failure Wednesday in Baptist Memorial HospitalNorth Mississippi. Services are 11 a.m. today at Waller Funeral Home with burial in Springdale Cemetery. Mr. Wells was a member of New Prospect Baptist Church.

He was a retired mechanic for the Mississippi Department of Transportation. He was the widower of Christine Daniels Wells. Survivors include: daughters, Annie Ruth Denham, Dorothy White and Mary W. Brewer, all of Oxford, and Carolyn Wells and Barbara Peacock, both of Water Valley; stepdaughter, Kathy Watson of Oxford; sons, Samuel E. Wells of Water Valley and Tommy R.

Watson of Oxford; sister, Mildred McCain of Water Valley; brother, Norris Wells of Cordova, 12 grandchildren and five greatgrandchildren. Memorials may be made to New Prospect Baptist Church building fund. Baham said. tions to join in church activities, He said he knew that patrols neighborhood watches and youth could not have prevented Sun- programs to fight crime. day's murders in which a new em- Other signs of discontent were ployee robbed and killed three literal, like the banner across workers at another restaurant.

Robert Holloway's balcony think it's made people aware looking Jackson Square: of just how rampant the crime "WARNING TOURISTS: The really is. We've been fighting this French Quarter is a HIGH problem not just from this one in- CRIME AREA." cident but from many other inci- Restaurant owner Andrew Jaedents," Baham said. "There's just ger printed out hundreds of fliers no police around. and had his assistant pass them "Customers, as well as employ- out to other French Quarter busiees have gotten mugged on the nesses, urging them to call city street. Robbed with a gun.

A lot of and state officials. these incidents aren't even report- "The police department is puted because most of the time, po- ting these people in jail. The judilice don't even come out. And cial department is letting them when they do, how much action do back out," French Quarter resident they take on it?" John Ordoyne said. "The mayor The murders Sunday, when and judicial department have to get more than 70,000 visitors were in together and put these people in jail town for the annual Bayou Classic and not let them out to run ramfootball game, were among 327 so pant around the French Quarter or far this year and 13 since Thanks- anywhere else." giving.

The total is down, though Jaeger said there are 48,000 outnot much, from 332 a year ago. standing warrants in New OrMayor Marc Morial sched- leans. "They don't even get a subuled a "peace rally" on the steps poena to arrest these people beof City Hall at the same time cause they can't find them. That's that the march began in Jackson no deterrent to crime. And if we Square.

After the march, people could deter people from small headed back to the French crimes, maybe we'd deter them Quarter for a candlelight vigil to from bigger crimes." honor victims of all crimes in Gov. Mike Foster has suggested that area. that the National Guard might Morial also sent out letters to help police if the mayor agreed to more than 600 ministers, priests drop a requirement that police ofand rabbis of all faiths, asking ficers life within the city if they them to call on their congrega- want promotions. U.S. 45 widening project begun in '87 is awarded final contract The Associated Press NETTLETON The last contract has been awarded for a project to four-lane U.S.

45 from Tennessee to Columbus. The award came Wednesday just as groundbreaking ceremonies were held to commemorate the opening of another seven-mile, four-lane section of the highway from Shannon to Town Creek. The ceremony, held in the Wren community of Monroe County, marked the beginning of the end of the four-laning project. The work is part of the state's ambitious fourlaning program approved by the Legislature in 1987. Since the pay-as-you-go, taxbased program began, more than 255 miles of new four-lane highway have been opened and more than 300 miles currently are under construction.

An $8.7 million contract was awarded to Eutaw Construction Co. to build the final 12 miles between Columbus and the Tennessee state line. "This puts everything in the '87 program (on U.S. 45) under contract, although we'll have to let another paving contract in the spring of '98 for that section," Northern District Highway Commissioner Zack Stewart said. "By early summer everything (on U.S.

45) with the exception of Wren to Aberdeen will The Best Calorie-Burning Equipment Money Can Buy. In every category there is a leader. In treadmills, that leader is Trotter. Trotter treadmills offer the smoothest, quietest, strongest highest performance run TROTTER your money. Come in for a test drive.

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Brown during her guilty plea last year described hearing Giles Bryant beg for his life after Lindsey got out of his car and approached where the victim was standing near the corner of Hartfield and Downing streets. Jason Lomax, 15, pleaded guilty Oct. 30, 1995, to three charges of armed robbery but asked for a trial on the capital murder charge. He is awaiting sentencing on the robberies. Latasha Stuckey, 16, is awaiting trial on charges of capital murder and armed robbery.

Vicksburg man wanted in jewelry scam By Thyrie Bland Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer Jackson Police and the U.S. postal inspector are searching for a Vicksburg man wanted in connection with a jewelry embezzlement scam. Robert Massey, 49, of Vicksburg is suspected of setting up a fake jewelry store called Pro Jewelry and Design in Highland Village Shopping Center, Jackson fraud and forgery detective Charlie Foreman said. Massey accepted diamond shipments worth about $100,000 wholesale on consignment and then fled Jackson, Massey said. The agreement was to pay for the jewelry after it was sold.

The unsold jewelry would be returned. Foreman said he was unsure how long the store was open. Massey, also known as Richard Massey, took jewelry from importers in Illinois, California, New York and Missouri, Foreman said. The owner of BNR Diamond Importers and Cutters in Chicago reported Massey to authorities. The owner flew to Jackson in November to find the store was closed.

Foreman said the owner met Massey at a Texas trade show and convinced the owner to invest in his jewelry store after the show. be open to traffic." A number of local, state and federal officials were on hand for Wednesday's ribbon-cutting ceremony held on the southern end of the newly opened section. "This is a ribbon of opportunity," state Sen. Alan Nunnelee, R- Tupelo, said of the new highway. "This will carry out the fruits of our labors and bring back jobs to north Mississippi." Stewart said that, despite some delays, the entire length of U.S.

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