[2/27/04]The court-appointed attorney for the man accused of running down a Warren County deputy sheriff has been replaced by Jackson attorney Chokwe Lumumba.

Lumumba, who has represented defendants in other high-profile criminal cases, informed the Warren County District Attorney’s Office Thursday he will be representing Ronald Vaughn, 23.

Vaughn, who was brought from the Hinds County Detention Center to the Warren County Jail this week, is charged with driving the car that ran over Deputy Mike Hollingsworth, 38, who has been hospitalized since being injured Feb. 9.

Lumumba, the founder and chairman of the New Afrikan People’s Organization, gained national notoriety from defending the late rapper Tupac Shakur. He also defended Elliot Culp who was found guilty in 2001 in Holmes County of the kidnapping, armed robbery and assault of Texas runaways and the rape of one.

Warren County Circuit Judge Isadore Patrick had appointed local defense attorney Eugene Perrier to represent Vaughn, who was on probation after serving time for shooting into an occupied dwelling.

Assistant District Attorney Mike Bonner said he expects to have Vaughn brought to court for a probation revocation hearing soon, but has delayed that action until getting blood test results for alcohol and drugs from the State Crime Lab.

Vaughn is being held without bond under a statute that allows a suspect to be held until the extent of a victim’s injuries is determined. Vaughn was also on bond at the time of the incident from armed robbery charges in September.

In the Hollingsworth case, he is charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer which carries a maximum sentence of 30 years.

Hollingsworth’s condition also improved this week at University Medical Center as he began breathing on his own again and has opened his eyes and looked around. Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said Hollingsworth, 38, has still not responded to doctors or family.

An account has been opened at BancorpSouth to benefit the family.

Witnesses have said Vaughn sped around a funeral procession on U.S. 80 and struck the deputy as he stood outside his patrol car at the entrance to Green Acres Memorial Park.