The District Attorney’s office reports one conviction and two failed appeals of convictions of note in the past month.

The conviction occurred on Oct. 11, for the murder of Gerald Dillon by Mikimie “Kim” Brown on Dec. 12, 2000.

According to a release from the District Attorney’s office, Brown went to Dillon’s home at 3005 Hwy. 35 S., Foxworth where she shot and killed Dillon, pointed a gun at Leteya Watts and then attempted to burn Dillon’s truck.

Brown, 29, last known address of 29 Old Highway 13 Columbia, was found guilty of murder for the murder of Dillon, not guilty of aggravated assault for attempting to shoot Watts and guilty of attempted arson for attempting to burn Dillon’s truck, the release states. The mandatory sentence for murder is life in prison while attempted arson holds a sentence of no less than one year and no more than two years.

Brown’s case was investigated by the Marion County Sheriff’s Department and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation. The case was prosecuted by District Attorney Claiborne “Buddy” McDonald and Assistant District Attorney Douglas E. Miller, the release stated.

On Oct. 31 Stephon Hudderson’s conviction on the charge of sale of a controlled substance was upheld by the Mississippi Court of Appeals. Hudderson, 44, last known address of 121 Greenview Dr., was found guilty on July 20, 2005 by a Pearl River County Circuit Court Jury for the charge, the release states. Hudderson was sentenced to 60 years in prison without the possibility of parole as a habitual offender.

Hudderson’s case was prosecuted by assistant district attorneys Manya Creel Bryan and Miller with the honorable Circuit Court Judge R.I. Prichard III presiding.

Another conviction was upheld by the Mississippi Court of Appeals on Nov. 14. The release states that James M. Smith, 48, last known address of 910 Laird St., was convicted of aggravated driving under the influence. Smith later appealed. The release states that Smith permanently disabled a victim as a result of his negligent operation of a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol. Officer David Bean with the Picayune Police Department investigated the case.

Bryan and Miller prosecuted the case with the honorable Circuit Court Judge Michael Eubanks presiding.