Arraignment for suspect held Monday

Published 12:00 am Tuesday, August 17, 2004

NATCHEZ &045;&045; Jim Tuesnoe IV, the suspect charged with the Sunday morning murder of Jesse Lamark Garrison, was arraigned in municipal court Monday afternoon.

During the arraignment hearing Judge Jim Blough read the charges against the defendant, determined bond and set the date for a preliminary hearing.

&uot;A plea of not guilty was entered on (Tuesnoe’s) behalf,&uot; Blough said after the arraignment Monday.

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According to Blough, Tuesnoe is charged with murder with a property bond set at $100,000.

Natchez police say Garrison, of Ferriday, La., was shot four times during an altercation with Tuesnoe in the parking lot of the Huddle House on U.S. 61 South. Emergency personnel responded to the incident and transported Garrison to Natchez Regional, where he was pronounced dead at 6:45 a.m. by Adams County coroner James Lee.

Tuesnoe fled the scene, but later turned himself in to Natchez police.

According to Blough, a preliminary hearing was set for 9 a.m. on Sept. 7.

During the preliminary hearing evidence will be presented to determine the nature of the crime and Tuesnoe’s involvement in that crime. A preliminary hearing does not determine guilt or innocence, only probable cause. If probable cause is found during the hearing, Tuesnoe’s case will be handed over to the Adams County Circuit Court grand jury.

&uot;Of course they can waive the preliminary hearing,&uot; Blough said. If so, the case will go directly to the grand jury.

According to Natchez Police Chief Mike Mullins, there is no new information in the case currently under investigation.

&uot;There were many witnesses,&uot; Mullins said. &uot;And part of the incident in the parking lot was taped by restaurant videotape.&uot;

As to the details of the argument between Garrison and Tuesnoe, Mullins could not say pending the investigation.