Articles by Jeff Clark
Gardner sentenced to twenty years for burglary
Lowndes Circuit Judge Jim Kitchens Friday sentenced Demonta Gardner to 20 years in prison. A jury last week convicted Gardner of burglary of an occupied dwelling, but he was not convicted on a related armed robbery charge.
Armed robbery prosecution ends in mistrial
Lowndes Circuit Court Judge Lee Howard Thursday declared a mistrial for defendant Justin Richardson.
Annexation lawsuit inches along
In what Fourteenth Chancery District Judge H. Jim Davidson Jr. described as a “procedural matter,” a date for discovery was set Thursday for the upcoming trial regarding annexation for the City of Columbus.
Gardner convicted of burglary
After deliberating for more than an hour, a Circuit Court jury Wednesday found Demonta “Gangsta” Gardner guilty of burglary of a dwelling but not guilty of armed robbery. A juror poll showed it agreed one hundred percent on the verdict.
Breaking: Gardner found guilty of burglary
Demonta Dewayne “Gangsta” Gardner. Gardner, 19, of 917 11th Ave. S, was arrested September 29, 2011 and charged with armed robbery and burglary of a dwelling.
CVB festival funding awarded
In what seems to be a regular occurrence, festival funding was once again a source of contention between members of the Columbus-Lowndes Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors.
Youth minister arrested for filming woman in dressing room
A Hamilton youth minister has been arrested for allegedly filming a woman changing clothes in a local dressing room.
Fondling case results in mistrial
After deliberating for around three hours, a hung jury led to a mistrial in the case of the State versus Doris “D.R.” McElhenney.
Circuit court trials set for this week
The trial of the State versus Demonta Dewayne “Gangster” Gardner is scheduled to begin Monday, officials at District Attorney Forrest Allgood’s office said.
Grandfather testifies in fondling trial
Jurors today are expected to begin deliberations in the trial of D.R. McElhenney, who is accused of sexually fondling his granddaughter with a back massager, after a July 19, 2009 luncheon at his home.
Defense paints image of estranged family in fondling trial
Lowndes County jurors Wednesday heard a full day of often disturbing testimony in the case of a Columbus man, Doris “D.R.” McElhenney, who was indicted in 2009 of one count of felonious fondling of his then 11-year-old granddaughter.
Man nearly drowns after jumping in river to evade police
A Columbus couple is behind bars after leading Columbus Police Department officers on a wild goose chase, starting on Southside and ending in the old Tombigbee River Wednesday.
Hitch up your britches: Sagging pants ban passes
The Columbus City Council Tuesday voted 4-2 to implement a new ordinance aimed at “sagging” or below-the-waist pants.
City redistricting passes council
The first round of a redistricting process for Columbus was completed Tuesday, as the City Council voted 4-2 to accept a new redistricting map submitted by Chris Watson of Bridge and Watson. The council will hold a public hearing on the proposed map at a later date. The map will then be sent to the U.S. Department for Justice for final approval.
Miranda Lambert bringing On Fire Tour to Southaven
Country singer discusses whirlwind year with Dispatch’s Jeff Clark
Two Monday shootings result in arrests
A shooting at Williams Roberts Apartments Monday sent one to the hospital and landed a Columbus man behind bars. Jerry Lee Darnell, 43, of 2050
Comprehensive plan in limbo as annexation is decided
The city’s elusive comprehensive plan, which will guide city development for the next decade, was discussed during Monday’s meeting of the Columbus Planning Commission, but no action was taken on the issue.
Updated: CPD looking for shooting suspect
Suspect sought in connection with alleged Monday afternoon shooting
Jail’s GED program graduates more than 25 inmates since 2012
For Brian Gartman, life is all about making decisions. A series of bad decisions led to Gartman’s arrest and incarceration for burglary, which has now been reduced to a grand larceny charge. While serving a one year sentence in the Lowndes County Adult Detention Center, Gartman, 25, decided to make better decisions for himself, like earning a GED diploma.
