Police rearrest suspect in attempted murder who was released by mistake

Willie Ross
Willie Ross

A man held on suspicion of rape, attempted murder and domestic battery who was mistakenly released from the Cross County jail Monday is back in custody, authorities said.

Willie J. Ross, 53, was apprehended about 8 a.m. Friday and is being sent back to the Cross County jail, Cross County Sheriff J.R. Smith said in a statement.

Helena-West Helena Police Chief Virgil Green said in a statement that family members contacted police Friday morning and informed officers of Ross' whereabouts after seeing news reports of his release.

He was released from that jail Monday after being wrongly identified as another inmate with the same last name, police said.

Though Ross, who was being held on $1 million bond, is charged in Phillips County, the county does not have an operational jail.

Upcoming Events