100 years ago
March 16, 1919
JONESBORO -- Clarence Smith was brought here today by Postoffice Inspector Floyd Elliott, charged with being the person who robbed the postoffice at Lepanto recently, when about $700 in cash and stamps were stolen. He was held to wait the section of the federal Grand Jury by United States Commissioner E. P. Mathou and in default of the required bond of $1,000. Smith was committed to the county jail. The defendant is the son of the former postmaster and knew the combination of the safe where the money was kept.
50 years ago
March 16, 1969
• Five persons were wounded, four of them seriously, in two separate shooting incidents between 9 p.m. and 9:15 p.m. Saturday at Scott. Wounded during a gun battle at the home of Monroe Gilliam were Jesse Gilliam, 16; Mary Gilliam, 15; Woodrow Gilliam, 18, and Robert Givens, 18. Pulaski County Deputy J. L. Shaw said all were from Scott. He said Jesse was wounded in the leg and the others were in serious condition at the University Hospital. Shaw said the shootings apparently stemmed from an argument between Woodrow Gilliam and Givens. He said both men drew .22 caliber pistols and the others were hit during the ensuing gun battle. Deputy Thomas Womack said Alvin King, whose age was not known, also of Scott, was shot about 9:15 p.m.
25 years ago
March 16, 1994
• Alan Benjamin "Big Daddy" Harnett received a 30-year prison sentence Monday for his role in a June 1993 drive-by shooting that killed a teen nightclub's co-owner. Harnett, 21, of 10820 Beverly Hills Drive pleaded guilty Feb. 14 to first-degree murder in the death of Claude Stewart, 35. ... He was struck once between the eyes with a .38-caliber bullet while collecting money at the club's door. Police said a passenger in a car driven by Harnett sprayed gunfire toward rival gang members standing outside the club, but hit Stewart instead. ... The gunman, Terence Devon Dixon, 17, ... also pleaded guilty Feb. 14. ... A deputy prosecutor, John Johnson, said last month that Dixon and Harnett, both members of a Crips gang, had been riding around with a carload of people when they passed the club and noticed some rival Bloods standing outside, making gang gestures. ... He and Dixon later returned to the area with a gun and saw a different group of Bloods gathered outside the club. Johnson said Harnett slowed the car and leaned forward as Dixon fired shots behind Harnett's back, through the driver's side window.
10 years ago
March 16, 2009
• Defense attorneys for the man accused of killing TV news anchor Anne Pressly are heading for their first courtroom confrontation with prosecutors over police questioning of Curtis Lavelle Vance, court filings show. The question is, when will the sides cross swords? It might be Tuesday. Vance, 28, of Marianna is set to make his third circuit court appearance at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday before Pulaski County Circuit Judge Chris Piazza for a routine trial-scheduling hearing. His defenders have filed a motion to address investigators' contacts with police, but it's not clear whether the judge will hear their arguments at Tuesday's appearance. The next hearing is in June, with a trial date in September.
Metro on 03/16/2019