After fighting alligators for many years, Ricky Flynt managed to escaped the jaws of some redneck justice yesterday up in Yazoo County Justice Court.
Flynt was known affectionately for years as the "Gator Guy" during his service as a Conservation Officer at the Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks. If there was a story involving alligators, the news media usually ran to him for his expertise on the subject. Flynt retired several years ago.
Our story begins on March 13 in Yazoo County. Mr. Flynt's affidavit explains what took place that day.
The Mississippi Code classifies the offense as a felony and states the sentence is up to three years in prison and/or up to a $5,000 fine (The paperwork is wrong. It is Section 97-7-44). Yup. The Yazoo County Sheriff's Office was trying to make the Gator Guy a felon.
A bench warrant was issued for Flynt when he failed to appear at the hearing. Flynt said YCSO Detective Antwan Jones called but he didn't answer as he didn't recognize the number. Detective Jones sent Flynt a text notifying him of the warrant and informing him he needed to contact YCSO. Flynt did so and was informed of the charges. Flynt went up to Yazoo City and paid a $1,000 bond.
The Honorable Pam May held Flynt's preliminary hearing yesterday in Yazoo County Justice Court. Flynt attended along with his wife and several supporters. Attorneys Michael Duncan and Dee Berry represented Flynt. Yazoo County Prosecuting Attorney Erica Haymer prosecuted the case.
Ms. Haymer asked for a continuance since the complainant and his witness were not present. She said she did not know they would not be there until that afternoon. "You have no idea how that happened," asked Judge May. The prosecutor said the witnesses claimed they did not receive notice of the hearing.
Duncan objected, arguing the hearing had been set for "quite some time" and suggested the proceeding could proceed with just the deputy's testimony. Judge May recounted the procedural history of the case. Detective Jones said he recognized Flynt from his tv appearances as a Conservation Officer.
The defense moved to dismiss the case with prejudice, claiming the complaint did not meet the statutory definition of the charge. The attorney said Flynt showed his ID to the complainant and his 13 year-old son as he presented a copy of Flynt's law enforcement certification to the Court.
The deputy said he was satisfied Flynt was not impersonating a law enforcement officer. The prosecutor said the "victims" said Flynt did not identify himself as a retired law enforcement officer. However, the police report said Flynt identified himself as a retired law enforcement officer.
After hearing it all, Judge May dismissed the case with prejudice.
Kingfish note: Spending an afternoon in Judge May's courtroom was actually quite a treat. No big shot lawyers nor the high stakes back and forth of a tennis match that often characterize cases in federal and circuit court. Judge May is somewhat informal in how she runs her court but it works. One defendant was cited for speeding, window tint, and lack of insurance. He brought the wrong insurance paperwork and said he hadn't altered the truck. She found him guilty of the speeding but gave him two weeks to provide his documentation and proof he reduced the window tint. Two teens were found guilty of minor misdemeanors. After finding them guilty, she took time to talk to them about their lives and what their plans were. She had no problem declaring guilt but treated all with respect. A credit to the bench (or until she throws me out of the courtroom one day. ;-)).
4 comments:
It is nice to see someone doing the bench credit. It is, unfortunately, getting more and more rare these days for whatever reason.
Talk about playing the victim card when you were the criminal!
On another note, I wonder how many people have had unfortunate legal outcomes because the clerk or sheriff's deputies failed to properly serve notice.
Seems like nobody gets notice up there.
Thank goodness this didn't happen in Hinds County.
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