Stephen Williams sentenced to Two Consecutive Life Sentences

District Attorney W. Dewayne Richardson announced this week that Stephen B. Williams, Jr. of Itta Bena, Mississippi, pled guilty to two counts of first degree murder and was sentenced by Leflore Circuit Judge Ashley Hines to serve two consecutive life sentences for the March 16, 2020 slayings of 49 year old Jacqueline Taylor and 58 year old Freddie Mask in Itta Bena, Mississippi.

Upon entering his guilty pleas, Williams also pled guilty to aggravated domestic violence charges in an unrelated case and was sentenced to serve two years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections to run at the same time as his life sentences. Williams was 24 years old at the time he committed the crimes.

The murder charges arose when a concerned citizen, who knew Ms. Taylor and Mr. Mask, discovered their bodies at a residence located on CR 138 in Itta Bena, after passing the residence on the morning of March 16, 2020 and noticing the interior front door open but the glass storm door closed and stopping to check on them. The citizen immediately called the Leflore County Sherriff’s Office. LCSO deputies responded and found the victims shot to death. Further investigation revealed that the Ms. Taylor and Mr. Mask were killed around 4 to 4:30 am on the morning their bodies were discovered.

Stephen B. Williams, Jr. was being investigated as a suspect in an unrelated March 14, 2020 shooting which occurred in Sidon, Mississippi and emerged as a suspect in the March 20, 2020 slayings. Williams admitted to Leflore County Sheriff Ricky Banks and deputies that he killed Ms. Taylor and Mr. Mask during the course of robbing them at the CR 138 residence.

The cases were investigated by the Leflore County Sheriff’s Department and were prosecuted by Assistant District Attorney Timothy Jones. While nothing can take away the pain of losing a loved one, the District Attorney’s Office hopes that these convictions give the family and friends of the departed a sense of relief that justice has been served.

Breaking News

21st

February

21st

Feb

TERRICK WRIGHT, JR. SENTENCED

Greenville, MS—Terrick Wright, Jr., of Greenville, was sentenced to Life on Tuesday, District Attorney Dewayne Richardson announced today. Wright, Jr. was convicted of Capital Murder in November following a three-day jury trial in Washington County. His indictment arose from facts […]... read more

7th

February

7th

Feb

RANDOLYN FAINT SENTENCED FOR DOUBLE HOMICIDE

Indianola, MS- Randolyn Faint, 35 yoa, of Indianola was convicted of two (2) counts of Second Degree Murder in Sunflower County Circuit Court following his guilty pleas on Monday, of this week before Judge Richard Smith. On Sunday, September 6, […]... read more

7th

February

7th

Feb

MARSHALL GIVEN 20 YEAR SENTENCE FOR DEADLY DUI

Indianola, MS- Christopher Marshall, 27 yoa, was convicted of three (3) counts of Aggravated DUI in Sunflower County Circuit Court following his guilty pleas on Monday, of this week. Around 8:45 pm on Saturday, May 5, 2018, first responders of […]... read more

3rd

February

3rd

Feb

LAFAYETTE SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS IN 2019 DEATH

Greenville, MS — In Washington County Circuit Court, Ellison Lafayette was sentenced by Judge Richard Smith to a total of twenty (20) years with the Mississippi Department of Corrections following an earlier guilty plea to the 2019 killing of a […]... read more

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

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

Indianola Office
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.

Municipalities

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• City of Hollandale
• City of Leland
• City of Metcalfe

• Washington County
• City of Indianola
• City of Ruleville
• City of Drew

• City of Moorhead

• City of Inverness

• City of Sunflower

• Sunflower County

• City of Itta Bena

• City of Greenwood

• Leflore County

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The information contained in this web site is provided for general informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon as legal advice. With respect to any information found on this web site, neither the Office of the District Attorney, 4th District, nor any of its employees, makes any warranty, express or implied, including the warranties of merchantability and aptness for a particular purpose, or assumes any legal liability or responsibility for the inaccuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information conveyed. Nothing contained in the Web site is intended to constitute a promise, expressed or implied, by the Office of the District Attorney, 4th District to engage in any undertaking. The Washington County District Attorney's Office is not responsible for the contents of any off-site pages referenced. These links are provided as an information service only.

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