Video: Lee Sheriff Reinforces Belief Right Person Charged In Lee Co. Murder
TUPELO, Miss. (WCBI) – Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson says he disputes claims made in a video by the man shot and killed Saturday night by Tupelo Police. As WCBI first told you Sunday night Lyndarious Witherspoon posted a video to Facebook claiming he was the person who shot cab driver Charlie Williams last month . Lee County officials charged Leonta Gates in that case. Sheriff Jim Johnson said Sunday he was confident his office has the correct person in custody. Today Johnson issued a more in depth statement on the video and the case. Below is that statement.
Statement in regards to video that surfaced Saturday Night where the suspect in the murder in Baldwyn made a “video statement” that he committed the murder of Mr Charlie Williams.
JOHNSON
This video was made shortly after a murder in Baldwyn where he is the prime suspect.
“I am confident with the case we have against Leonta Gates. Our office has worked very hard in this case . The evidence we have was presented the District Attorney’s office and secured a warrant for capital murder against Leonta Gates. We also presented evidence in a bond hearing before a Circuit Judge that resulted Gates be held without bond. We have solid evidence as to the truth. The video that was made by the suspect in the recent incident was just attempting to take advantage of a sensational moment. There is no evidence contradicting Gates’ involvement in the murder of Charlie Williams. I will not allow a video by a person that just committed a act of violence against a family and law enforcement to change what I already know. We are going forward with our case against Gates.” Sheriff Jim H Johnson
“I am confident with the case we have against Leonta Gates. Our office has worked very hard in this case . The evidence we have was presented the District Attorney’s office and secured a warrant for capital murder against Leonta Gates. We also presented evidence in a bond hearing before a Circuit Judge that resulted Gates be held without bond. We have solid evidence as to the truth. The video that was made by the suspect in the recent incident was just attempting to take advantage of a sensational moment. There is no evidence contradicting Gates’ involvement in the murder of Charlie Williams. I will not allow a video by a person that just committed a act of violence against a family and law enforcement to change what I already know. We are going forward with our case against Gates.” Sheriff Jim H Johnson
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