A woman caught smuggling contraband into the Raymond Detention Center while free on bond will remain free after Hinds County Circuit Judge Adrienne Wooten refused to revoke her bond.
Clinton police arrested Elizabeth Johnson and her husband Prince in 2015 for manufacturing phony opioid prescriptions and selling opioids. The grand jury indicted her in 2017 for four counts of prescription fraud, conspiracy, and possession of a controlled substance. The District Attorney invoked the school enhancement classification. The case is assigned to Judge Wooten.
Her husband, Prince, was indicted for ten counts of prescription fraud in the same case. The cases collected dust on the docket for years until the District Attorney Jody Owens assumed office. The Johnsons were indicted again in March 2020 for conspiracy to commit more prescription fraud.
Prince wound up in custody at the Raymond Detention Center. They (allegedly) got the bright idea to smuggle cellphones and other contraband into the jail by paying off a detention officer. They were caught and indicted in June.
Assistant District Attorney Sue Perry moved to revoke Elizabeth's bond. Ms. Perry said MRCrP*8.4 states all defendants shall commit no crime while not in custody. She stated:
In this case Elizabeth Johnson was indicted on two felony counts Possession of a Forged Prescription and one felony count of Possession of a Controlled Substance. She was released on her own recognizance and subsequently, more than three (3) years later, indicted on the charges of Conspiracy to Introduce Contraband into a Correctional Facility and Bribery. The Bribery charge carries a sentence of no more than ten (10) years, thereby meeting the more than five (5) year threshold required under Article 3, Section 29, which governs in this matter, and as such the court has no alternative but to revoke her release and hold her until trial...
Judge Wooten said nice try but Ms. Johnson gets a Get Out of Jail Free card. She decreed:
While there was evidence presented by the State establishing probable cause that the defendant, Elizabeth Johnson, did commit multiple felonies while released from jail on her own recognizance in cause number 17-599 and that one of the felonies for which Elizabeth Johnson was subsequently indicted in cause number 20-259, Bribery, does carry a maximum sentence of no more than ten (10) years, this Court is of the opinion that Article 3 Section 29 of the Mississippi Constitution does not apply, as Elizabeth Johnson had been released on her own recognizance, rather than on bond and more than three (3) years have passed since her release from confinement. In addition, none of the charges in the three (3) open indictments, 17-599, 20-171 nor 20-259 are considered crimes of violence. As such, because of the ongoing the COVID 19 pandemic, this Court will not revoke a defendant's bond for nonviolent offenses. The Defendant, Elizabeth Johnson, will continue to wear an ankle monitor and will continue to abide by the curfew previously set in place. In addition, Elizabeth Johnson was warned that any additional indictments brought against her will result in her immediate revocation.Johnson's trial is scheduled for November 2.
* Mississippi Rules of Criminal Procedure
12 comments:
"In addition, Elizabeth Johnson was warned that any additional indictments brought against her will result in her immediate revocation."
What if it's a nonviolent offense?
Why not just abolish the Hinds County court system? They are nothing more than a social circle. Think of all the money taxpayers would be saved. Close the detention center too. It seems to be a social club run by the inmates. When I was growing up the school Principal dealt out harsher punishments for writing on the bathroom walls than these Hinds County judges do for felonies.
This really sets a good example for the younger generation. Do people in the positions of power understand what they are doing? Some are bound and determined to create a lawless culture, I suppose. Is the atmosphere of some dystopian movie being created in reality? I pity future generations. No, this question is not based on this one example. My view is much larger, starting from the top down.
And the voters chose her over Matt Allen. That was crazy. And this is the result. Not like we weren't warned. Next time more people need to get off their behinds and support with their time and money the decent, vastly better educated and qualified candidate.
There is nothing that can be done for Hinds county or Jackson. Nothing , just get out while you are still alive. Never go back or cross into those area. Never.
9:48: Your rejection of all of Jackson is overbroad and just shows your ignorant prejudice. Yes, stay where you are. We will continue on here in Northeast Jackson just fine where I live.
I have a problem we when assume we know what should happen based on just reading a few paragraphs. Maybe just maybe there is more to the story than we know. For instance, if Hinds County jailed every nonviolent offender, there may not be enough jail space for the violent offenders. Maybe, just maybe, sheriff's have asked judges not to lock up people unless its absolutely necessary due to their efforts to limit Covid in their facilities. Maybe just maybe, we shouldnt be experts just on reading an article.
If the defendant were white, would there be a "white privelege" release from custody? Methinks not.
I think 11:45 makes some good points. On the other hand, I suspect a lot our collective frustration is based on the fact that these people have multiple indictments going back 5 years, and none of them have been brought to some sort of resolution.
In other words, I believe the former D.A., Robert Shuler Smith, should have to answer for these cases that are still lingering from his years in office.
Sheriff did not want her free on bond after she tried to sneak phones into the jail and pay off his guard.
" Sheriff did not want her free on bond after she tried to sneak phones into the jail and pay off his guard " .
GOOD !
At least he didn't care about what "something smelled like".
I never though I'd see it happen, but someone on this blog just surpassed ole
Kennuf Stokes as the biggest "FOOL" in Jackson.....
Kudos to Jacksun!
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