MONTICELLO — Two weeks later than expected, the December termof Circuit Court came to a close Monday.

The Lawrence County Grand Jury heard a record number of cases inthe December term, which began Dec. 4, and returned 54 true billsof indictment, containing 86 counts on 46 individuals.

“This was the most indictments Lawrence County has ever had,”said Circuit Clerk Cindy Stokes. “The grand jury worked very hardduring this term and heard a lot of cases in a short amount oftime.”

Every case scheduled to be heard Monday was granted acontinuance until March 12, 2001, during the next term.

The trial of James A. “Jamie” McNeese Jr. on charges of capitalmurder and burglary was among those cases.

McNeese, of Brookhaven, is charged in the murder of TanyaMullins Smith on June 21. Smith was stabbed to death in her homewhile her 11-month-old child lay on the couch.

After eluding authorities for more than 48 hours, McNeese wascaptured in Jefferson Davis County by a coordinated effortinvolving several law enforcement agencies on June 23.

Other cases which were continued include:

* Shawn Brown: charged with burglary, sexual battery and twocounts of rape;

* Kenneth C. Peyton: charged with possession of a controlledsubstance;

* Kenneth Jeffery Herring: charged with possession of acontrolled substance;

* Damon Bridges: charged with sale or transfer of a controlledsubstance;

* Estus McCullum: charged with two counts of sale or transfer ofa controlled substance;

* Desmond Brown: charged with sale or transfer of a controlledsubstance within 1500 feet of a school;

* Gerald King: charged with possession of a controlledsubstance;

* Kenny Peyton: charged with two counts of sale or transfer of acontrolled substance within 1500 feet of a school;

* Michael Shoulders: charged with sale or transfer of acontrolled substance within 1500 feet of a school;

* Alphonso Baggett: charged with possession of a controlledsubstance;

* Duane Lewis: charged with possession of a controlledsubstance;

* Richard G. Holmes: charged with felony DUI;

* Keisha Cox Rogers: charged with shooting into a dwelling;

* Wanda Horan: charged with embezzlement;

* Jason Ray Temple: charged with grand larceny;

* Ronnie Doyle Howell: charged with the manufacture ofmarijuana;

* Rico Maye: charged with aggravated assault;

* Pat Roberson: charged with two counts of uttering forgery;

* Andrael Bridges: charged with uttering forgery;

* Dudley Burns: charged with second degree arson;

* Kathryn B. Hill: charged with felony check;

* Myron Magee: charged with felony check;

* Michael Sharp: charged with felony check; and

* Kenneth “Kenny” Johnson: charged with statutory rape.