Two MS Deputies Cleared in Shooting
Ken [NY
Lee County, MS - 4/4/2002
The Clarion-Ledger
By Jerry Mitchell
Two deputies placed on administrative leave after the killing of the
man who fatally shot Lee County Sheriff Harold Ray Presley on July 6
could return to work this week, the slain sheriff's brother said
Tuesday.
Deputies Gary Dodds and John Lee are slated to talk today with a
counselor at North Mississippi Medical Center, said Sheriff Larry
Presley. "After the session, we'll know whether they need more
counseling."
If not, the deputies will return immediately to work, the sheriff
said. "They've been through a lot."
Dodds and Lee have been cleared by the FBI, Presley said.
Circumstances leading to the death of Billy Ray Stone started July 5
when deputies stopped Stone's truck at a roadblock, and he fled with
Charlene Wright of Tupelo, whom he allegedly kidnapped and sexually
assaulted.
Authorities said Stone shot at deputies, who pursued him and fired
back. At one point during the chase, Wright was thrown from Stone's
truck and was run over by Sheriff Harold Ray Presley. She died a day
later.
Stone wrecked his truck and fled into the woods, then deputies
cornered him.
Presley died of six gunshot wounds in a shootout with Stone. Stone
died of a gunshot wound and head injuries.
An autopsy report by Dr. Steven Hayne shows Stone suffered fractures
to his skull as well as three lacerations to the back of his head.
After the death, five deputies at the scene were placed on
administrative leave.
An FBI investigation ended last month with a federal grand jury
indicting deputies Sgt. Jason B. Stanford, 33, of Saltillo and Sgt.
Danny W. Dillard, 38, of Tupelo on civil rights charges that they
struck, kicked and stomped Stone.
The deputies, who have pleaded innocent to the charges, go on trial
May 13.
On Tuesday, Presley said Assistant U.S. Attorney Bob Norman informed
him the FBI cleared deputies Dodds and Lee, enabling them to return to
work.
Sheriff Larry Presley said no decision was made regarding the
remaining deputy, Jack Tate.
Contacted Tuesday, Norman would not comment.
Lee said being away from work has been difficult: "I've been off of
work for about nine months without just cause. My name has been
smeared without just cause."
Despite the charges, Presley said he believes Stone is the real
culprit and that deputies aren't guilty of anything.
"That guy (Stone) was a terrorist. He tried to kill everybody up
there," Presley said.
Ken (NY)
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