logo

Two Plead Guilty in Leflore County Murder and Armed Robbery

Greenwood, MS – On April 1, 2019, both Quandarius Williams and Renae Marie Canada pled guilty to the June 7, 2017 shooting death and armed robbery of Desmond Baker.
After three local men found Baker on a Leflore County road with a gunshot wound to his head, investigators with the Leflore County Sheriff’s Department worked tirelessly to discover who was responsible for Baker’s senseless death. They tracked Williams to Louisiana where he had fled after the shooting and robbery.

Williams and Canada admitted to their part in the plan to rob Baker. Williams shot Baker in the process of that robbery. Canada expressed remorse for her actions and asked the Baker family for forgiveness after the Court accepted her plea. Baker’s father Clarence Baker wrote a letter to the Court and the defendants, which Assistant District Attorney Tim Jones read when each defendant pled. Baker’s fiancé also spoke before Williams was sentenced. They both expressed their sadness and anger over being robbed of the life of their son and fiancé.

In Mississippi, second degree murder carries a minimum penalty of twenty (20) years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections and a maximum penalty of forty (40) years. The minimum penalty for armed robbery is three (3) years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections and the maximum penalty is a term of years less than a life sentence in the Mississippi Department of Corrections.

Leflore County Circuit Court Judge Richard Smith sentenced Williams and Canada to District Attorney’s recommendation of: forty (40) years on the second degree murder, thirty-five (35) years to serve in the Mississippi Department of Corrections, five (5) years of post release supervision; and forty (40) years on the armed robbery, thirty-five (35) years to serve in the Mississippi Department of Corrections, five (5) years of post release supervision. The two sentences are to run at the same time.

Leflore County Assistant District Attorney Timothy Jones who prosecuted the case for the District Attorney’s Office thanked the Leflore County Sheriff’s Department for working tirelessly and putting together a case that will hopefully bring some sense of closure for the Bakers. He added that, “unfortunately nothing we do can bring Desmond back, but hopefully these convictions and sentences will lead to healing for his family.”

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

Breaking News

3rd
September
3rd
Sep

WAL-MART BANK ROBBER SENTENCED TO 15 YEARS

District Attorney W. Dewayne Richardson announced this week that Marshall Anderson pled guilty Tuesday morning in Washington County Circuit Court to robbing Woodforest Bank, located inside the Wal-Mart Shopping Center on Highway 1 South. With the case set for trial […]... read more

13th
August
13th
Aug

Greenville Man Sentenced for 2016 Murder

Greenville, MS – John Lee Eanes pled guilty to the November 2016 murder of Sophia White on August 13, 2019. He pled guilty prior to trial in front of Circuit Court Judge Carol White-Richard. Eanes, who at the time of […]... read more

22nd
July
22nd
Jul

Holmes County native pleads guilty to Highway 49 rock throwing

Greenwood – On July 22, 2019, Leflore County Circuit Judge Carol White-Richard accepted the guilty plea of Holmes County native Kavotreiuos Gould and sentenced him in one case of malicious mischief and five separate cases of aggravated assault. Gould was […]... read more

20th
May
20th
May

SEX OFFENDER SENTENCED TO 20 YEARS

Greenville, MS—James Williams, Jr. of Greenville entered a guilty plea to the crime of Sexual Battery in May, District Attorney Dewayne Richardson announced today. Williams pled guilty on the eve of his trial set to begin the week of May […]... 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


• City of Greenville

• 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

Disclaimer of Liability

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.

To the extent that pending criminal matters are discussed in this website, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty. The materials on this Web site are copyrighted. Copying, reproduction, or distribution of any part of this Web site is prohibited without the prior written consent of the Office of the District Attorney, 4th District. However, downloading and printing of materials from this web site is allowed for the personal use of visitors to the web site. In fact, such use is encouraged.

Indemnification

User agrees to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless, the Office of the District Attorney, 4th District web site, its contributors, any entity jointly created by them, their respective affiliates and their respective directors, officers, employees, and agents from and against all claims and expenses, including attorney's fees, arising out of the use of the on-line service by user in reference to any claim however caused and on any theory of liability, whether in contract, strict liability, or tort (including negligence).

Office of the District Attorney, 4th District