ESTABLISHED 1879 | COLUMBUS, MISSISSIPPI C DISPATCH.COM FREE! THURSDAY | JUNE 8, 2017 Moore challenge hearing set for Tuesday the Democratic shy of capturing a majority of markings of ballots by voters Party executive identifies members Executive Com- the day’s ballots. and improper rejection and ac- mittee who will Spruill maintained a six-vote ceptance of numerous affidavit that will hear the election petition hear Moore’s re- lead over Moore after affidavit and absentee ballots by elec- quest: Ryan Col- ballots were processed follow- tion workers. BY CARL SMITH meeting Wednesday after his vin, Walter Con- ing May 16’s runoff. In all, issues exist with at [email protected] attorney, William Starks, filed a ley, Jim Morse, Both sides examined ballot least 50 ballots cast in the elec- petition asking the Democratic tion, Starks said last week. The Oktibbeha County Dem- Ethel Shine, boxes following Starkville’s Executive Committee to either Yolanda Walker Moore May 18 election certification, Starks did not reply to an ocratic Party will hear Johnny count what Moore alleges are and Diane Wall. and Moore filed his petition email Wednesday, and a text Moore’s appeal of May’s may- improperly excluded ballots or Mayor-elect Lynn Spruill Friday. A legal challenge could message to Moore also went oral runoff 10 a.m. Tuesday at hold a third mayoral election if first edged Moore by about also follow. unanswered. the City Hall courtroom, party the true will of Starkville’s elec- 70 votes in May 2’s three-way Moore’s petition with the “Mr. Moore is exercising executive Patti Drapala con- torate cannot be determined. Democratic primary, which Democratic Party alleges nu- his options as the statute au- firmed. Drapala, who will chair also featured candidate Dami- merous election issues, includ- thorizes him to do,” Spruill Drapala said the Moore Tuesday’s hearing, also con- on Poe, but a runoff was needed ing a failure to provide account- said last week. “It was a close camp was served notice of the firmed the other members of after she fell less than 3 percent ing for all ballots, improper See MOORE, 3A A ‘sweet soul’ lost in a ‘dark world’ Friends remember Drew Johnson Accused for his kindness, pitching acumen father out BY ISABELLE ALTMAN [email protected] on $50K bond hris Wright and his friend Drew John- Judge: Larry Johnson Cson were at a local fair in 2001 when they approached one of the not a flight risk games where players threw DISPATCH STAFF REPORT balls trying to knock over milk bottles to win stuffed A Lowndes County man accused of animal prizes. Johnson told killing his son is out on bond. Wright to “give the man Larry Johnson, 69, posted $50,000 some money.” bond Wednesday afternoon following The once star pitcher for his arraignment in Lowndes Coun- the New Hope High School ty Justice Court before Judge Peggy baseball team proceeded Phillips. not only to knock over each Sheriff’s deputies arrested Johnson of the milk bottles, but to on Wednesday and charged him with call which one he would murder in the shooting death of his hit before he did, throwing son, 40-year-old Mitchell Drew John- the balls hard enough they son, at their home at 46 River Lane in hit the canvas behind the southern Lowndes County. Authori- bottles with a loud pop, ties found the body at about 9:15 a.m. Wright remembered. Every Tuesday. They said the suspect called time Johnson won a stuffed 911 Tuesday morning — roughly 12 animal, he turned and gave hours after the alleged incident oc- it to one of the children in curred — and reported he had shot, the growing crowd that and maybe killed, his son. had gathered to watch him Drew Johnson’s body has been tak- play. en to the State Crime Lab in Jackson “That was my friend,” for autopsy. Wright said. “I’ll love and Before setting bond at Wednesday’s miss him until I die. That arraignment, Phillips said she didn’t was Drew.” consider the suspect a flight risk, due to his being a property owner. Life cut short Larry Johnson’s attorney, Tim Hud- At 40, Johnson’s life was son, declined to comment. cut short this week after an apparent altercation Courtesy photo at his home in southern Forty-year-old Drew Johnson, lifelong Lowndes County resident and star of the New Hope Lowndes County. Deputies High School baseball team in the early 1990s, was killed in a shooting Monday night in with the Lowndes County his home. His friend Brad Haines called him “a sweet friend and a sweet brother.” Sheriff’s Office were called to the home Drew shared He wanted to be that hero that went through all that his with 69-year-old father Larry Johnson Tuesday adversity but came out of it and was somebody that people where responders found Drew dead from a gunshot would look at and say, ‘Hey, I admire that guy’” wound. He and his father Brad Haines, longtime friend of Drew Johnson had apparently gotten into a fight Monday night when Parrot” — a nickname that went hand-in-hand with Hope. They knew each Larry allegedly shot him. started as a joke in John- a serious drug addiction other’s parents growing up, The news of Johnson’s son’s 20s when he became that Johnson never shook, played baseball together sudden violent death sad- a big fan of rap music, Haines said. in high school, partied Luisa Porter/Dispatch Staff said Johnson’s friend Brad “He was a sweet soul together in college and re- Larry Johnson walks handcuffed back dened those who knew him into the Lowndes County Adult Deten- mained friends throughout — whether it was from his Haines. that got lost in a dark tion Center after his arraignment at legendary baseball skills at In later years, Johnson world,” Haines said. their 20s. In the last eight the Justice Court Wednesday. He was New Hope or his Facebook wanted to be known by Haines and Johnson or so years, their lives released Wednesday afternoon after personality “Diamond that name. That preference grew up together in New See JOHNSON, 3A posting $50,000 bond. WEATHER FIVE QUESTIONS C ALENDAR LOCAO L F LKS PUB LIC 1 What is arboriculture? sity for Women’s Project MEETINGS Friday CHEW, fruit and vegetable June 13: 2 In 1891 what did J.A. Broudie from ■ Friday Night Jams: the English fishing town of Bridport Twister and face painting. Starkville-Oktib- The West Point/Clay suggest be added to football goal- The market at Second beha Consoli- County Arts Council pres- posts? Street and Second Avenue dated School 3 Which North American river was ents Friday Night Jams North is open Mondays District Board discovered by French explorer Jacques at 7 p.m. at the Louise 4-6 p.m. and Thursdays of Trustees, Jessie Horton Cartier in 1534? Campbell Arts Center, 4 Which long running British band and Saturdays 7-10 a.m. Greensboro Fifth grade, Caledonia 235 Commerce St., West released albums entitled A Quick One For more information, call Center, 6 p.m. Point. Free. Visit wpccac. 662-328-6305. and Live at Leeds? June 19: Ok- 5 In 2000, which U.S. internet service com. ■ Puppy Foam Party: High 79 Low 57 tibbeha County provider acquired Time-Warner for 4 Paws for a Cause Mostly sunny $165 billion? Board of Super- Full forecast on Saturday hosts this fundraiser for Answers, 8B visors, chancery page 2A. ■ Sizzling Second Sat- the Columbus-Lowndes urday: Columbus’ Hitch- Humane Society from 1-3 courthouse, 9 ing Lot Farmers’ Market, p.m. at the Animal Clinic a.m. INSIDE open 7-10 a.m., offers of Columbus, 3157 High- June 20: Starkville Board Business 4A Dear Abby 6B pony rides and a petting way 45 N. Dog paths and D.J. Farmer is a truck Classifieds7B Obituaries 5A zoo plus a visit by the “spaw” pedicures offered. driver, owner of Don’s of Aldermen, Comics 6B Opinions 6A Columbus Police Depart- Visit 4pawsforacause. Transportation and enjoys City Hall, 5:30 Crossword 8B ment, Mississippi Univer- us.events/html. baseball as a hobby. p.m. DISPATCH CUSTOMER SERVICE 328-2424 | NEWSROOM 328-2471 2A THURSDAY, JUNE 8, 2017 THE DISPATCH • www.cdispatch.com SAY WHAT? DID YOU HEAR? “He kind of calmed down his leg kick, he’s calmed down his bat in terms of the waggle he had and he’s picked up some really big hits.” Alleged leaker’s parents fear Mississippi State baseball coach Andy Cannizaro, Trump will be tough on case Thursday talking about Elijah MacNamee. Story, 1B. ‘I think they’re going to try to make an example out of her because of the A THOUSAND WORDS political climate right now’ THE ASSOCIatED PRESS A judge has scheduled a hearing Thursday for Win- AUGUSTA, Ga. — A ner in U.S. District Court young woman charged to determine whether to with leaking U.S. govern- allow her to be released on ment secrets to a reporter bond pending trial. She has poses no flight risk if she’s been jailed in neighboring released from pre-trial con- Lincoln County since her finement, her parents said arrest, according to a book- Wednesday, though they ing report released by the fear prosecutors will seek to sheriff. use the case to send a tough “She’s not a flight risk,” message from the Trump said Gary Davis, Winner’s administration. stepfather. “Everybody in It will be difficult for America knows what she 25-year-old Reality Winner looks like at this point.