A murder indictment returned by Warren County grand jurors means a possible death sentence has been avoided by a Vicksburg man.

Soloman HarrisSoloman “Dewey” Harris, 43, 2908 Arcadia St., faces trial and a possible life without parole sentence on the accusation he killed and robbed 48-year-old Harold R. Scott Nov. 21, at the victim’s home.

“Based on the nature of the crime, the facts and circumstances, the jurors were persuaded not to indict him for the capital offense,” said District Attorney Ricky Smith. Because the homicide was accompanied by another felony, robbery, state law would have allowed the possibility of execution following a two-phase trial if grand jurors had deemed that to be appropriate.

More than a decade has passed since a capital murder conviction took place in Warren County. In October 1997, Prentiss Coleman was found guilty of following Melanie Straughter into a home on Athens Avenue and killing her with an ax three years earlier. However, the jury could not decide whether the death penalty should be applied and Circuit Judge Isadore Patrick sentenced Coleman to life without parole.

Harold R. Scott was the father of two sons, and he was described by his sister, Loretta Brantley of Vicksburg, as a “generous, helpful handyman.” Brantley also said Scott was in the Army for 12 years.Former District Attorney Gil Martin said he believed a couple of others had been indicted for capital murder since then, but were found guilty of other charges.

About nine hours after Scott was killed, Harris surrendered at the Warren County Sheriff’s Department and was turned over to Vicksburg police for questioning.

In addition to murder, Harris was indicted for a weapon possession charge.

Harris has been convicted of seven felonies – two for grand larceny, two for sale of cocaine, burglary, sale of marijuana and shoplifting.

Scott was the father of two sons, and he was described by his sister, Loretta Brantley of Vicksburg, as a “generous, helpful handyman.” Brantley also said Scott was in the Army for 12 years.

The homicide was the last of Vicksburg’s eight in 2007.

Also indicted and arraigned Thursday were:

Lewis Adams, 46, 2805 River Road, shoplifting-third offense. He’s accused of stealing Little Debbie cakes, cigarettes and beer from County Market, 2101 Clay St., on March 12.

Louis Darrell Buck, 30, 1210 1/2 Cypress St., possession of a controlled substance. He was arrested Oct. 29, at Fred’s Barber and Beauty Shop, 2213 Drummond St.

James Goldsmith, 30, 2462 Old Highway 27, two counts of simple assault on a law-enforcement officer. The offense in which Goldsmith’s accused took place Jan. 27 at his home.

Tony Clayton Keene, 30, 816 Queen St., prescription forgery. He is accused of an offense that took place Jan. 4, at Battlefield Drug, 3040 Indiana Ave.

Timothy Reeves, 28, 2604 Roosevelt, larceny of a motor vehicle and eluding a law-enforcement officer. Reeves is accused of stealing a 1999 Ford Explorer parked in the 1200 block of Warrenton Road. The offense reportedly took place Oct. 15.

Still facing potential indictment and arraignment is Brandy Wallace, 26, who is charged with driving drunk and running down and killing 81-year-old John E. Parrette on Roseland Drive on Nov. 5. Police said Wallace was northbound with no passengers at an unknown speed when her 2002 Toyota Tacoma went off the street and hit Parrette.

Parrette, a retired civil engineer and technician at Waterways Experiment Station, was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy showed Parrette died from head trauma.

Altogether, this week’s grand jury examined about 93 cases. More arraignments were to take place today.

View Grand Jury ReportWarren County grand juries are chosen each January, May, July and October. Law enforcement officers present cases, and jurors decide if there is enough evidence for a criminal trial. If so, indictments are issued and defendants, most of whom have been free on bond, appear at a formal arraignment to hear the charges they face. Most then remain free on bond pending resolution of the indictments through a trial or plea bargains.