Docket includes murder, Florala Utilities case
Published 12:05 am Friday, October 2, 2015
There’s a full docket for the next jury trial week, set for Oct. 19.
The pre-trial docket includes:
• Thomas Eric Bush for sexual abuse of a child under 12. The case is from 2011. Grace Jeter is the prosecutor and Bill Alverson is the defense attorney.
According to Star-News archives, Bush was arrested and charged with the sexual abuse of a child under 12. The investigation began when the Opp Police Department received a complaint of the abuse by a local citizen.
• Clarence Alvin Norris for murder. The case is from 2012. District Attorney Walt Merrell will prosecute the case and Chris Sledge is the defense attorney. Norris is accused of killing his brother, 50-year-old Cleve Wayne Norris, inside a barn at the men’s Bass Bridge Road home. Norris has maintained it was self-defense.
• Joshua Joenez Wimberly for six counts of burglary III, two counts of theft of property II, two counts of theft of property III, two counts of criminal mischief and attempted burglary. Merrell will prosecute the case and Corey Bryan is the defense attorney. The case is from 2013. Wimberly’s charges stem from burglaries at LBWCC, where clothing items and monies were taken and vending machines vandalized and for burglaries at Covington Mall and other places.
• Lynn D. Hughes for four counts of theft of property I and four counts of using position for personal gain. The case is from 2013. Merrell will prosecute and Chris Worshek is the defense attorney.
The former Florala Utilities Board manager is accused of stealing more than $40,000 and using her position for personal gain. An ABI investigation found that she allegedly paid herself an additional $8,000, while also writing checks for nearly $32,000 to cover family health insurance premiums.
• Jerome Phillips for attempted rape I and sexual abuse of a child under 12. The case is from 2013. Jeter will prosecute and Manish Patel will represent Phillips.
The OPD arrested Phillips in 2013 for sex crimes involving a young girl.
• Zachary Blake Walden for possession of marijuana I and possession of drug paraphernalia. Jeter will prosecute and Grady Lanier is the defense attorney. It is a 2013 case. Walden’s arrest was in connection with a traffic stop and car chase that yielded nearly 1 pound of marijuana.
• Pravin Patel for possession of a controlled substance. Emmett Massey will prosecute for the state and David Baker will represent Patel. The case is from 2013.
• Cameron Laquatos Hooks for burglary III and theft of property III. The case is a 2014 case. Merrell will prosecute and Rod Sylvester will defend.
• Gregory James Goldsmith for robbery I and theft of property I. The case is from 2014. Merrell will prosecute and William Alverson will defend.
Star-News archives show that Goldsmith allegedly approached two clerks as they were walking from Cost Plus to the Covington County Bank to make a deposit. Goldsmith allegedly brandished a gun and demanded the money.
• Pete Jimenez for three counts of theft of property I and three counts of theft of property II. The case is from 2014. Merrell will prosecute and Benton Parsons is the defense attorney. Jimenez is tied to a months-long theft ring spanning several counties.
SunSouth, John Deere, Ireland Trailer Sales, J.M. Jackson Chevrolet-Buick, Andalusia Tire Co., and J.R.’s Lawnmower Shop are among the local businesses hit.
• Devante Ladalvin Section for possession of marijuana I, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia and resisting arrest. Massey will prosecute and Olmond Hall will represent Section. The case is from 2014,
• Melanie Chambers for Medicaid fraud. Massey will prosecute and Bryan will defend. The case is from 2014.
• Wendy Leah Crabtree for possession of a controlled substance and possession of drug paraphernalia. The case is a 2014 case. Massey will prosecute and Baker will defend.
• Sammy Gene Pio for failure to register. Massey will prosecute the 2014 case. Parsons is the defense attorney.
• Darwin Joe Young for sex abuse of child under 12 and sodomy I. The case is from 2014. Young is accused of sexually abusing a 5-year-old boy. Jeter will prosecute and Debbie Jared is the defense attorney.
• Tanya S. Davis for hindering prosecution. The case is from 2014. Massey will prosecute and Trey Burgess is the defense attorney.
• Amos Lorrell Matthews for attempted murder. Merrell will prosecute the 2014 case and Bryan will be the defense attorney. Matthews allegedly stabbed another Opp man on Hardage Circle in August 2014.