A Winona man, who is on probation for a similar charge, was bound over to the action of the Montgomery County Grand Jury.
JaTorey Deshawn Washington went before Judge Alan D. Lancaster Thursday in Winona Municipal Court on a burglary charge. Washington is accused of breaking into El Cabrito. City Prosecutor Putt Crull Jr. told Lancaster that Washington was already on probation for another burglary in an unrelated case.
Because Washington is already on probation, no bond was set. He waived his preliminary hearing. He was then bound over to the action of the Montgomery County Grand Jury.
James E. Butts, Jr., of Winona, went before Lancaster for an initial appearance on an aggravated assault charge that stems back to May when a man accused Butts and a co-defendant Kentarius Hobbs of shooting at him while he was in his vehicle.
Two other men had their charges dismissed because Lancaster found the city did not have sufficient evidence to hold them on the cases.
“Why is he just now coming before me?” Lancaster asked.
Butts explained that he worked offshore and he had no idea the Winona Police Department were looking for him.
“They didn’t ask me no questions, they didn’t say anything,” Butts said. “They just arrested me and took me to Vaiden.”
He asked Lancaster about his due process and his Miranda rights. Lancaster explained to Butts that the initial appearance is a part of his due process.
“If they didn’t ask you any questions then your Miranda rights didn’t apply then, but they do apply now,” he said. “If they question you after this, I’d advise you not to answer anything until your lawyer is present.”
Lancaster appointed Neal Marlow to represent Butts and reduced his bond to $5,000. He told Butts if he bonds out before then, then he’ll waive his preliminary and will be bound over to the action of the Grand Jury.
