‘Honkey’ Harris Files For Change In Venue

Wayne “Honky” Harris

CALHOUN COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI)-The Calhoun County Circuit Court starts its new year and first session next Monday, but the highly anticipated Wayne “Honkey” Harris murder trial will likely not take place.

Harris’s defense team recently filed motions for Judge Andrew Howorth to recuse himself from the case.

If Howorth agrees to recuse himself the case would fall to Judges Robert Elliott or John Gregory.

If they chose to recuse themselves as well, the case will go to the Mississippi Supreme Court who will then appoint someone to hear the case.

Harris’s defense team is also seeking a change in venue due to their belief that the publicity of the case locally would make it difficult for Harris to receive a fair trial.

Harris was involved in a shooting that resulted in the death of 51 year-old Chris Mcgonagill in January of 2012.

Mcgonagill and Harris were at a cookout at Mcgonagill’s Carpentry Shop near his home on Highway 9 South.

The two allegedly started to argue and then both pulled guns.

Harris was shot twice, once in each leg, with a 9 millimeter pistol.

Mcgonagill was shot six times with a 22 rifle.