Sheriff’s Department works two deaths
Published 5:15 pm Tuesday, August 15, 2006
Two separate incidents in a week lead to the death of two Pearl River County residents.
On Sunday at about 6 p.m. deputies responded to a call concerning a fight involving an injured juvenile at St. Michael’s Academy. Upon arrival deputies observed the 14 year-old being treated by Emergystat Ambulance personnel, the release states. The victim was transported to Highland Community Hospital where he was pronounced dead, the release states.
Witnesses state that the victim and a 15 year-old juvenile were involved in a verbal altercation that turned physical, the release states. According to the release, no weapons were involved in the incident, however an autopsy has been scheduled and the matter is still under investigation. The Sheriff’s Department has been unable to locate next of kin. The victim and suspect were both under the custody of the Department of Human Services, the release states.
After the autopsy is conducted, the 15 year-old juvenile will appear before the Youth Court to determine if charges will be filed against him, said Pearl River County Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy Aarron Russell.
“It was a very tragic incident,” said Lori Julian, director of development for St. Michael’s Campus.
St. Michael’s Campus has been in the Picayune area for more than 50 years with the mission of providing a learning institute of healing for children so they can learn to live with purpose and hope, Julian said.
Julian said they are working in full cooperation with local and state law enforcement agencies.
In an unrelated incident at about 2 a.m. Sunday the Sheriff’s Department responded to a call reporting a train accident near Section Line Road, the report states.
When deputies arrived they were advised that the train was traveling south when the conductor saw a man laying on the tracks, the release states. Deputies located the deceased victim about 300 feet south of the crossing.He was identified as Charles Ray Porter, 35 of 1715 U.S. 11 South, the release states. Why he was laying on the tracks is still under investigation, the release states.
