Family of slain grandmother wants city, police chief held accountable

TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – The attorney for the family of a woman killed in a drive-by shooting says the city of Verona and its police chief need to be held accountable for the tragedy.

66-year-old Annie Walton was killed December 7, as she was sitting at a table in her home on County Road 45.

One week later, 17-year-old Latavious Betts was arrested and charged with Walton’s murder.

Betts was the suspect in another murder last spring, at a Verona car wash, but he was released from jail by Verona Police Chief J.B. Long.

Betts was arrested in July for another shooting, but posted a $50,000 bond and was released. At the time, Justice Court Judge Sadie Holland was not informed that Betts was a suspect in the March murder.

Now, the family of Annie Walton has filed notice of a claim against the city of Verona and Chief Long.

That warning is required before suing a Mississippi government.

Attorney Casey Lott says Annie Walton would still be alive if proper procedure had been followed with Betts.

“I haven’t heard from anyone connected with the city, they should step up and do the right thing and try and resolve this and do right by these people but that remains to be seen.  What we can learn from this case is that the letter of the law should always be followed no matter what, never take shortcuts and no chief of police, sheriff or anyone else has any authority to step into the role of a judge and arrange to release a suspect before they’ve appeared before an initial appearance,” said Lott.

Lott is asking for a jury trial in federal court.

Chief Long said Betts was released from jail initially because witnesses did not identify Betts as the triggerman.

However, the chief says witnesses later said Betts was the shooter.

The city has 90 days to respond before the Walton family files a lawsuit.