2008 Woodie Awards
Vote Absentee
Wainwright indicted after five months
Erica Sherrill Owens
Issue date: 9/11/07 Section: News
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Forrest and Perry County District Attorny Jon Mark Weathers was responsible for bringing charges against Wainwright.
"He was indicted in August of this year on charges of cyber stalking/posting of messages through electronic media," said Weathers.
The grand jury meets almost monthly in the Forrest and Perry County District, and this case was deliberated in the August grand jury.
University Police Chief Bob Hopkins said the university police worked the case, made the arrest and forwarded the case to the district attorney's office.
Wainwright was arrested a few days after the deadly shootings at Virginia Tech. Although Wainwright's profile, biography and messages from before the day of his arrest are still posted, the alleged threats have been removed. The Student Printz printed the text of the alleged threats made by Wainwright in the April 24. Messages of support and outrage from friends and family continue to be posted on Wainwright's MySpace page.
Wainwright continues to be held in the Lamar county jail on a $1 million bond. According to information published by The Hattiesburg American, if Wainwright is convicted he could potentially be sentenced to five years in prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000.
Weathers said he cannot discuss specifics regarding Wainwright's case, but there a lot of options regarding the next step in the process.
"As soon as his attorney enters an appearance in the case…he's arraigned," Weathers said. "At that point in time he enters a plea and the case can move on."
However, Weathers said there are many scenarios that can take place. For example, Wainwright can waive an arraignment since he has not been charged with a capital crime.
Hopkins said UPD is happy to see the judicial process is continuing.
"We'll continue to play a part in the process as the case moves forward," Hopkins said.
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