Scott Gas Station Shooter Gets 70 Year Sentence

Greenwood, MS-On August 20, 2018, Leflore County Senior Circuit Judge Ashley Hines accepted the guilty plea of Waltdrakus Hunter, 39 yoa. Hunter was indicted by the January 2018 grand jury for the charges of attempted capital murder and armed robbery as a violent habitual offender.

Hunter had previously been convicted in 2002 of armed robbery and manslaughter. In 2017, Hunter was released from incarceration in the Mississippi Department of Corrections and was on earned release supervision.

This case stemmed from officers with the Greenwood Police Department quickly responding to a 911 call from the store clerk at the Scott Service Station on October 18, 2017. When they made it to the scene they found the store clerk shot in the side and lying face down inside the store bleeding from the gunshot wound. Patrol units immediately began searching for the suspect. Moments later they were able to locate Hunter who fled the scene after shooting Dekerus Williams and robbing the cash register at the Scott Station. Officers also found the gun that Hunter attempted to dispose as he was driving around the overpass at the intersection of Highway 82 and Highway 49. Greenwood Police Department officers were also able to locate and recover the $523 that Hunter had stolen from the Scott Service Station during the robbery.

After reviewing the case file and the minimum and maximum penalties for each charge, Judge Hines sentenced Waltdrakus Hunter to a term of thirty-five (35) years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections for the charge of attempted capital murder and a term of thirty-five (35) years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections for the charge of armed robbery both as a Habitual Offender. The two thirty-five (35) year sentences will run consecutively, meaning Hunter will serve seventy (70) years in the Department of Corrections without any opportunity for early release nor parole.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Tim Jones and Amanda Sturniolo. Jones adds that, “the video of this robbery and shooting was one of the most heinous that he had ever scene. All the thanks goes to the diligent officers of the Greenwood Police Department for their efforts in capturing this violent defendant and their assistance in ensuring that justice was served for Mr. Williams and his family.”

Contact: W. Dewayne Richardson District Attorney, Fourth Circuit Court District | 662-378-2105

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resources

Attorney General

www.ago.state.ms.us

MDOC

www.ms.gov

Federal Prisoners

www.bop.gov

Sex Offender Registry

state.sor.dps.ms.gov

AG Victim Unit

www.ago.state.ms.us

Our Mission

The mission of the District Attorney’s Office for the Fourth Circuit Court, under the direction of
W. Dewayne Richardson, is to seek justice in order to maintain an environment of safety, security and lawful behavior for the citizens of the Fourth District.

The Office of the District Attorney uses lawful and reasonable methods to successfully identify and prosecute those who commit felony crimes. When a crime occurs, the Office of the District Attorney diligently pursues the indictment and conviction of those responsible, while adhering to all rights of the Victim, ensuring the victim is being provided all direct services applicable, and acknowledging all constitutional safeguards for the accused.

The District Attorney’s Office for the Fourth
District’s goal is to work with law enforcement and the judiciary to punish those who break our laws with adequate punishment. Every representative of the Office of the District Attorney pledges their commitment and full support to the protection of all citizens within the Fourth Circuit Court District.

Contact

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P.O. Box 426
Greenville MS 38702
[P] 662.378.2105
[F] 662.332.4665
generalinfo@msdeltada.com

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P.O. Box 1046
Indianola, MS 38751
[P] 662.887.4306
[F] 662.887.6275
generalinfo@msdeltada.com

Greenwood Office
P.O. Box 253
Greenwood, MS 38935
[P] 662.453.1089
[F] 662.451.7291
generalinfo@msdeltada.com

Judicial Process

Citizen's Involvement in the criminal justice system typically begins with them being a victim, witness, or defendant of a crime. Arrests are made generally by a judge-issued warrant or by a police officer observing a crime in process. Law enforcement may also arrest someone if it has probable cause to believe the person committed a criminal offense. When individuals are arrested they are routinely advised of their Miranda Rights upon arrest, advising them that they have the right to remain silent and that anything they say will be used against them in court. On being questioned, defendants have the right to have their attorney present or to have one appointed if they are indigent.

Felony defendants appear at a first appearance and have the charges reviewed. A judge will inquire if the defendant has an attorney. If low income, the defendant may qualify for a court-appointed lawyer. No plea is entered at this time unless the defendant wishes to plead guilty or waives indictment and has an attorney present. All felony cases are presented to a grand jury in the county that the crime was committed. In the State of Mississippi, only a grand jury has the authority to indict an individual for a felony offense and require them to stand trial for the charges alleged in an affidavit and indictment.

If an indictment is issued, the defendant is bound over to stand trial or enter a guilty plea to the crimes alleged. When a criminal trial occurs all 12 jurors must find the defendant guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Sentences are decided by Circuit Court Judges in all criminal matters. In most cases a recommendation is made regarding imprisonment, probation, fines and restitution.

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• City of Hollandale

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• Washington County

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• Leflore County