Video: Prosecutors Will Seek Death Penalty In Case Of Cab Driver Murder

TUPELO, MISS. (WCBI) – The arraignment for Leontay Gates took about 10 minutes.  The 23 year old Tupelo man plead not guilty to one charge of capital murder, two charges of armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Gates is accused of calling a cab company, requesting a ride.  Authorities say 55 year old Charles Williams picked Gates up, and was forced,  at gunpoint to drive to an isolated area, where the murder occurred.

A memorial including a cross, stuffed bear and some flowers, marks the spot where Mr Williams body was found by two motorcyclists on Graham Drive the evening of May 13th.  We have also learned Williams was alive when police first arrived on the scene.  He was suffering from a gunshot wound to the back of the head.  Authorities quickly linked Leontay Gates to the crime through cell phone calls made to the cab company and the manhunt was on.

Williams’ cab was found abandoned at a nearby park hours after the murder.  Police say Gates went on a mini crime spree , robbing a convenience store and stealing a car.  He turned himself in a few days after the murder and has been held without bond ever since.

Shortly after the arrest, Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson spoke about the gruesome nature of the crime.

“You had an individual that had basically retired in life, was doing this cab service to have something to do.  Was working on a Friday night, much like everybody else goes to work, expecting to come home and you had this particular individual that took advantage of him, basically, once the individual got out of the car, just robbed and shot him, you know, in cold blood,” Sheriff Johnson said.

Bond was denied for Gates.  His next court date is January 17th.

Gates has a prior conviction for the armed robbery of a Tupelo liquor store in 2010.