By DAVID NICHOL
T-H Staff Writer
A man sentenced to life without parole for the 1975 murder of a woman in Forrest City has filed for executive clemency from Gov. Mike Huckabee.
Henry Giles was convicted in May of 1975, of entering the Shoe Outlet, located at 310 Hill Ave., on Jan. 9, 1975, where he allegedly strangled and stabbed Evelyn Drummond. It was then alleged that he robbed the store.
Giles was examined at the Arkansas State Hospital at Little Rock and found to be without psychosis, and mildly retarded. His IQ was listed as 66.
In finding Giles guilty, the St. Francis County jury found that Giles was not under unusual pressures or influences, or under the domination of another person when the crime was committed. The jury also found that Giles' capacity to tell right from wrong was not impaired "as a result of mental disease or defect." the jury also found that there were no mitigating circumstances.
Giles was originally sentenced to death by the jury.
On appeal, the verdict was upheld and the sentence was changed.
"We find error only in the sentencing procedure," the Supreme Court opinion stated in part, "and since we find no other error, affirm the conviction but modify the judgment to a finding of guilt...with a sentence of life imprisonment without parole."
According to a notice from the Department of Community Corrections, Giles' application will be reviewed by the Post Prison Transfer Board "on or about" May 3, at which time the board will make a recommendation to the governor on the merits of the application.
Also according to the notice, individuals wishing to comment or express opinions on he application for clemency may write to the Parole administrator, Department of Community Corrections, P.O. Box 8707, Pine Bluff, Ark. 71611.
The notice stated that to be fully considered, responses must be received prior to the date the board is scheduled to review the application.
By KENDALL OWENS
T-H Staff Writer
Three incumbents will be at the top of the list when polls open on Tuesday May 18, after ballot positions were drawn Tuesday during a meeting of the St. Francis County Election Commission.
St. Francis County Judge Carl Cisco, Treasurer Ann Harbin, and Sheriff and Collector Dave Parkman all drew the first ballot position for the May election. County Clerk Elizabeth Smith will be in the second spot with her challenger, Paul Spears, in the first position. Cisco is challenged by former quorum court member Author B. Witherspoon; Harbin faces Tammy Talley and Parkman will face off against George Cochran.
Two justices of the peace will face opposition in the May election. Incumbents Sam Armstrong and Donald Cagle will both be in the second spot with their opposition, Luther H. Lieblong and Ronnie E. Crider holding the one position in the races for District 4 and District 11. The court will welcome a new member with Caldwell Mayor Gary L. Hughes running unopposed for the District 6 position being vacated by Henry Wilkinson.
The May primary will also feature several races for Constable's positions throughout the county. Five of the county's 10 townships will have races with the Madison township holding a four man race for the position.
Willie Tinzie Jr. will hold the lead position on ballots with Tony Jenkins in the second spot. Incumbent Robert Smith will be third on the ballot with Billy Gene Ray in the fourth position. In the Franks Township, voters will have three candidates to choose from with Thomas Barnes in the first position; incumbent Hoyt Parham second and Harry "Junior" Barnes in the third spot. Garland Township will have a two man race with challenger Vester L. Steele in the opening spot followed by current Constable L.T. Gardner. In the L'Anguille Township, incumbent Jimmy McKee drew the top spot against Odell Lucas Sr. and in the Telico Township James L. Thomas drew the lead position against incumbent Billy Pillow.
In the only municipal race on the May ballot, Widener City Council member Abron Pitts will be second on the ballot to challenger Carl Winters.
In other races in St. Francis County, Joyce Ann Jones will face off against Earnestine Jackson in Hughes in a battle for a position on the Democratic Central Committee. Other DCC races will see Joe Young facing Edward Watt in Hughes; Treval A. Gregory facing Irene Combs; Johnetta Crumbly squaring off against David Courtney and Lorene Wall facing Booker T. Cooper.
By TAMARA JOHNSON
Managing Editor
A teenager is being charged as an adult following an attack outside a church event during which another teen's jaw was broken.
The Forrest City Police Department today reported Christopher Davenport, 17, Southside Trailer Park, Forrest City, was arrested Wednesday on a charge of second-degree battery stemming from the March 12 attack.
Michael Thompson, 19, 1412 N. Washington, Forrest City, told police he was attending an event at the Christ Church on Ophelia Street when he went outside "for a minute" about 8 p.m. Thompson said he was approached by Davenport and another subject, and Davenport reportedly asked Thompson if he was a member of a gang, to which Thompson said he replied, "no."
According to Thompson's statement, when he turned to go back into the building, Davenport allegedly struck him in the face, knocking him to the ground. Thompson said when he got up to run, the suspect reportedly knocked him back down and hit him in the jaw again.
After getting back inside the building, Thompson said a friend took him to a residence on Sunrise Drive where they called an ambulance.
Davenport was arrested Wednesday morning at Forrest City High School and taken to the FCPD where he was charged. After being released on his own recognizance, Davenport was returned to the high school.
He is scheduled to be arraigned in St. Francis County District Court on April 8.
A man on parole is being held without bond in the shooting of a Hughes man Monday night outside a Forrest City residence.
Syris Humphrey, 20, 2327 Shadywood, Forrest City, is charged with first-degree battery in connection with the shooting of Elliott Johnson, 40. Johnson was shot outside a home at 107 W. Scott St., as he and Humphrey argued.
Johnson told police he was delivering bicycles to his children when he met Humphrey exiting the residence and an argument ensued.
Johnson reportedly attempted to hit Humphrey before the suspect allegedly fired two shots at him, striking him once in his lower leg. Johnson was treated and released at a local hospital.
An elderly man was robbed at his used car lot Tuesday morning on West Broadway.
Audy F. Williamson, 82, told police he was at work at Audy's Used Cars, 909 W. Broadway, when a black male subject entered the business and told the victim he wanted to talk to him.
The suspect reportedly grabbed Williamson from behind and forced him to crawl to his desk from where he took the victim's wallet and $25 cash.
The suspect told the victim to stay on the floor until he had left the building.
An employee at Fina Quick Mart, 1221 N. Washington told police he was taking the trash out about 11:15 p.m. when he was approached by two black males wearing masks. One of the suspects was allegedly carrying a gun.
The subjects demanded money, but when the employee ran back into the store, the suspects fled on foot.
Both incidents are still under investigation.
Tax delinquent land in St. Francis County will hit the auction block on Wednesday April 14, at 1 p.m. according to a press release from Commissioner of State Lands, Mark Wilcox's office.
According to the release, the public auction will be held at the Forrest City Civic Center, with registration for the sale closing at 12:30 p.m. on April 14.
The Commissioner of State Lands office provides a catalog of tax delinquent lands which contains the rules and regulations governing the sale. The catalog also contains information, including dates, times, locations and pertinent information regarding the parcels being offered. It can be obtained by calling (501)324-9422 or from the commissioner's website at www.state. ar.us/land/land.html.