CRIME BRIEFS

Woman pleads guilty in death of roommate

PASCAGOULA -- Keana Marsha Richardson, 21, of Gautier, pleaded guilty Friday to a reduced charge of manslaughter in the April 30 shooting death of her roommate, Tangie Olivia Armstead, 20, said Cherie Wade, assistant district attorney in Jackson County.

Circuit Judge Robert Krebs sentenced Richardson to 20 years in prison plus a fine and court costs.

Authorities said Richardson shot Armstead in the head following an argument at the home they shared on Avenido Del Pina in Gautier. Richardson initially was charged with murder but the charge was reduced to manslaughter in exchange for the plea.

“The Armstead family has lived a nightmare ever since the defendant decided to use a gun in what should have been a simple domestic argument,” District Attorney Tony Lawrence said. “Too often we see arguments become violent due to the actions of one person.”

-- Margaret Baker

Picayune man held on felony DUI charge

HARRISON COUNTY -- David Lee Karrick, 51, was arrested on a felony DUI charge early Friday at Mississippi 53 and Old Highway 49.

Sheriff Melvin Brisolara said Karrick was stopped on suspicion of impaired driving. A license check showed he has had two DUI convictions in the past five years, making his third arrest a felony.

Karrick, of Shorty Burgess Road in Picayune, was held at the county jail. Justice Court Judge Brandon Ladner set his bond at $25,000.

-- Robin Fitzgerald

Jury deliberates 9 hours, convicts habitual criminal

GULFPORT -- A jury deliberated nine hours Thursday before finding repeat-offender Melvin Grayer guilty of burglarizing Howard Smith Equipment Services on Jan. 29, 2011, Assistant District Attorney Jason Josef said Friday.

Circuit Judge John Gargiulo sentenced Grayer, 53, of Gulfport, as a habitual offender and ordered him to serve seven years in prison day for day. Grayer has seven felony convictions.

Josef said the judge told Grayer, “In looking at your past record, it is clear to me that not only are you a habitual criminal, but, Mr. Grayer, you are a thief.”

When the break-in occurred at the business on Old Highway 49, a silent alarm alerted police, Josef said. A K-9 team apprehended Grayer in a nearby wooded area.

-- Robin Fitzgerald

Arrest made in theft, arson of supervisor’s truck

OCEAN SPRINGS -- Police on Friday arrested Cody Wilson, 20, of Vicksburg Road, Ocean Springs, in the Jan. 20 theft and arson of a county-owned truck driven by Jackson County Supervisor John McKay, Lt. John Flowers said.