5/20/2011 Fourth Panola life claimed this year
Phillips was found lying face down in a pool of blood on March 28 in what Sheriff Otis Griffin described as “an attempted drug deal gone bad or a robbery or a combination of both.”
Walton’s burned body was discovered in a drainage ditch on Paul White Road, located north of Como at the Tate County line on May 7. Assistant District Attorney Jay Hale reported Walton’s death likely Stemmed from an argument about stolen narcotics.
Panola County Coroner Gracie Grant-Gulledge said that Walton had been shot multiple times.
Wells was killed after an argument Sunday night. He was shot once in the head, according to Yalobusha County Coroner Ronnie Stark. The shooting followed an altercation, and drugs are believed to be the culprit, according to Water Valley police.
Michael Vincent Ruffin, Damion Stokes, JaQuentin Lawson and Derrick Dunston, all of Crenshaw, face capital murder charges for their alleged roles in the murder of Phillips. Ruffin was also charged with conspiracy to commit murder.
Cousins Odell McBrayer Jr. and Larry McBrayer Jr. along with Antonio Glover have each been charged with capital murder in the death of Walton.
http://www.panolian.com/contentitem/208725/1180/panola-county-murders
Now we need to find out if they went to trial and the outcome. These people should still be in jail if they did these horrendous crimes. However, it does go to show the mentality and brutality of the drug biz in the area.
Thanks, Absentia! Great find.