Flores faces cross-examination after allegations

Benito Flores

Fontaine murder trial: Day 7

The case defense attorney Pam Lipscomb presented in the Benito Flores trial has been met with a mix of shock, skepticism, and credulity by Oxonians at large.

But assistant district attorney Calvin Dollarhide showed no signs Wednesday after court of being even slightly persuaded by the defense's argument.

Dollarhide struck back quickly, not with outrage but with low-key pressure for additional specifics during his cross-examination of Flores.

Dollarhide asked the defendant a number of detailed questions about Flores' alleged "scuffle" with the victim's son, Grant Fontaine, the night of the murder. The defense argued that this altercation explained the injuries that witness Will Sands described seeing on Flores.

Dollarhide also played up the noticeable difference in physical size between Flores and Grant Fontaine, and pressed Flores to explain how Fontaine emerged relatively unscathed while Flores himself suffered a number of injuries. Flores attributed the disparity to Fontaine's cocaine use at the time, but it was not clear to court observers whether the jury believed that explanation.

Dollarhide went on testing the credibility of Flores' story by asking him to account for the fact that none of Grant Fontaine's DNA in the form of blood, saliva or skin cells was found on Flores' clothing after the physical altercation. Lipscomb's objection that Flores is not a DNA expert was sustained, but the damage was already done.

Dollarhide continued to hammer on Flores, pushing him to justify why the jurors should believe a self-confessed criminal and to explain why Grant Fontaine never named him as a suspect if, as Flores alleged, Fontaine set him up as a patsy.

The relentless questioning eventually took its toll, and Flores' anger boiled over as he leapt to his feet and shouted at Dollarhide. Court adjourned for the day following the outburst, and it's not clear whether Flores will be asked to return to the stand on Friday morning.

Either way, closing arguments are expected to begin during Friday's session with a verdict likely sometime next week.

ADA Dollarhide has agreed to speak with Crime Beat after closing arguments, so come back for that post after the case goes to the jury.

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Flores defense attorney predicts trial outcome

Fontaine murder trial: Day 6

Defense attorney Pamela Lipscomb

Don't miss Part 1 of this post: Flores defense names "real killer"

After attorney Pam Lipscomb presented the defense's case arguing that Benito Flores was innocent and Grant Fontaine killed his father in a drug-fueled rage, Ms. Lipscomb spoke exclusively with Crime Beat about the evidence they uncovered and what she expects will happen now.

Crime Beat: Thanks for talking to us. The last couple of days have been very exciting, as you finally unveiled your case to the court and the public. What was your first gave you the idea that Grant Fontaine could have killed his father?

Pamela Lipscomb: In our view, Grant should have been the top suspect from the beginning. In reviewing the police interviews with him, it's clear that he was high the night his father was killed and he was still high when the detectives first talked to him. In subsequent police interviews, he was evasive and untruthful.

CB: Some people have attributed Grant's behavior in those interviews to his drug addiction, which he has struggled with for years. Do you cut him any kind of break for that?

PL: Well, he seems to be fine now, and by all accounts, he has been since his father was killed. We're not convinced that he's the poor little rich boy struggling with a crippling addiction, no matter how the Fontaine family has tried to portray him.

CB: You don't accept the explanation that his father's death caused him to hit rock bottom and inspired him to turn his life around?

PL: It's all in the spin, isn't it, Kemper? If Grant actually has conquered his drug addiction, was it because his father's untimely death made him reevaluate his life? Or was it because, while he was under the influence, he brutally murdered the man who gave him life and now he's afraid what will happen if he uses cocaine again?

CB: In your press conference last month when you announced you'd be implicating another suspect, you implied that the Yoknapatawpha Sheriff's detectives failed in their investigation.

CB: Do you feel the YCSD was influenced by the Fontaine family and other powerful business people in Oxford? Or do you think the detectives simply weren't up to the task of solving such a high profile homicide?

PL: I believe the detectives in the Sheriff's Department do the best they can, but I think sometimes there is more to a case than they realize or than they're empowered to acknowledge.

CB: Meaning?

PL: Meaning that sometimes investigations can be steered in one direction or another from higher up the food chain.

CB: Do you have proof of that?

PL: That kind of thing is the very definition of unprovable. I can only tell you what I believe, based on my experience and instinct.

CB: Let's talk about your case. You admitted that Mr. Flores sold drugs. Isn't that a risk? Are you worried that the jury might think, "Everyone knows drug dealing and violence go hand-in-hand. If he sold drugs, he probably committed murder too."

PL: As we explained to the jury, not everyone who sells drugs is also capable of physical violence. That's a misconception perpetuated by movies and television. While economic circumstance forced Mr. Flores to sell drugs so he could put food on the table and a roof over his head, he acknowledges that he took a wrong path. But as our witnesses testified, Mr. Flores has never hurt anyone.

CB: You don't think the drugs he sold hurt anyone?

PL: Everyone has to take responsibility for their own choices.

CB: On Tuesday, Mr. Flores took the stand and gave his version of what happened the night Philip Fontaine was murdered.

PL: It wasn't "his version." It's what happened.

CB: To some court observers, his story was a little convenient, explaining his bloody fingerprint on the murder weapon by depicting him as simply a Good Samaritan.

PL: First of all, it's no simple thing to be a Good Samaritan. That kind of action requires more bravery than most people realize.

CB: According to his own testimony, Mr. Flores left an elderly man bleeding on the floor to save his own skin. He didn't call 911 or make any effort to get some help for Mr. Fontaine.

PL: As he told the jury, Mr. Flores was concerned that, as a poor minority, he would be blamed for Mr. Fontaine's death, even though he did nothing except try to help the man. As it turned out, Mr. Flores was right.

CB: So in your view, Benito Flores is on trial for killing Philip Fontaine simply because he's a lower income Latino?

PL: Sometimes justice isn't as blind as we like to pretend.

CB: Which you know as an upper middle class Caucasian woman?

PL: Which I know from more than a decade as a criminal defense attorney in Mississippi.

CB: The trial isn't over yet, but given your comments to the press, you think the jury is leaning your way?

PL: I think the prosecution is counting on the jury's sympathy for an elderly murder victim and a weak young man addled by drug addiction. But what they're not considering the the jury's empathy with a man who has to fight for every penny he makes and who never got any breaks but who still tried to do the right thing, even when it could only hurt him.

CB: But Philip Fontaine was an elderly man who was brutally murdered. And Grant Fontaine is struggling with the illness of drug addiction.

PL: The truth is, Philip Fontaine wasn't a kindly old man unfairly set upon by a swarthy menace. He was a ruthless businessman and a callous family man who evoked nothing but contempt and resentment from everyone who knew him. And Grant Fontaine is more of the same. He's just been trying – and failing – to bury it with drugs.

CB: Is there anything else you'd like our readers to know about Benito Flores or the case against him?

PL: Benito Flores is not a perfect man, as he himself has admitted, but he is not guilty of killing Philip Fontaine. He should not have to take the fall simply because he is poorer and less powerful than the real killer. After Mr. Flores is acquitted, we hope the YCSD will fully investigate Grant Fontaine and bring him to account for murdering his own father.

On Wednesday, Benito Flores will return to the stand to be cross-examined by prosecuting attorney Calvin Dollarhide. Come back tomorrow for coverage Day 7 of the Flores trial.

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Flores defense names "real killer"

Fontaine murder trial: Day 6

Defendant Benito Flores, Attorney Pam Lipscomb,
Defense suspect Grant Fontaine

All eyes in Oxford have been on the Benito Flores trial that started last week.

A month ago, the Flores defense team held a press conference to announce they had identified Philip Fontaine's "real killer," but they have steadfastly refused to name that person ever since, saying the culprit would be unmasked in court.

Now, Oxonians know who the defense is implicating and how they're doing it. Monday afternoon, Ms. Lipscomb told reporters,

Yesterday, Benito Flores took the stand and gave his version of what happened the night Philip Fontaine was killed.

Flores claimed he met Grant Fontaine in the parking lot of a local restaurant that night and sold Grant some cocaine, both of which Flores had previously denied on multiple occasions.

Flores alleged that Grant was furious with his father for punching him that evening and swore he wasn't going to "let the old man get away with it this time." Flores said Grant left with the cocaine, saying he was going home to teach his father a lesson.

Flores told the court that after he reflected on the situation for several minutes, he was worried about Philip Fontaine's safety so he followed Grant to the Fontaine residence, now admitting he was at the scene which he'd also previously denied.

Flores said he found a door ajar upon arrival and entered the house, where he discovered Grant "all coked up."

Flores claimed he tried to stop Grant from escaping, at which time the two men got into a physical altercation before Grant got away, leaving Flores with what he described as "minor cuts and bruises."

Flores said he went into the Fontaine kitchen to clean up his injuries and found Philip Fontaine bleeding on the floor. Flores claimed he tried to help the elder Fontaine and acknowledged he may have touched the murder knife while doing so.

Flores concluded his story by saying he became concerned when he realized Fontaine was dead that he might be blamed and fled the scene.

After Flores completed his direct testimony, court adjourned for the day. He is expected back on the stand today for cross-examination.

Last night, Flores attorney Pamela Lipscomb spoke exclusively with the Crime Beat about yesterday's dramatic revelations.

Don't miss Part 2 of this post where Ms. Lipscomb talks about the case and her client's chances of acquittal.

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Suspect arrested in Annette Wyatt slaying

Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff Department investigators on Thursday arrested a suspect in the Sept. 15 murder of Annette Wyatt.

Meg Lancaster, 30, of 15 Beauregard Circle in Oxford, was taken into custody shortly after 11 a.m., according to the Yoknapatawpha County Jail docket. A bond hearing hadn't yet been set.

"All I can say at this point is that we have arrested Miss Lancaster and will be formally charging her in connection with the murder of Miss Wyatt," said department spokeswoman Elizabeth Jones at a brief press conference Friday afternoon.

It's unclear when those charges will be filed. No attorney for Lancaster was listed as of late Friday.

Lancaster is employed as a receptionist at the Harte Agency, where Wyatt had worked until her death. Wyatt's body was found in the agency's University Avenue office by another colleague the morning of August 29.

The coroner's office later ruled the death a homicide. Wyatt had suffered puncture wounds from a nail gun.

Harte Agency employees declined to talk to the Oxford Eagle after Lancaster's arrest, but other workers in the strip mall shared by the agency said squad cars had swarmed the area for a brief time that morning.

"Three or four police cars came speeding into the parking lot," said Tom Banks, the owner of Sweet Treats candy and chocolate shop, located next to the Harte Agency. "I didn't know what was going on, but then all these deputies busted into the Harte place and I figured it had something to do with that murder."

Banks said a small crowd of onlookers formed in the parking lot and soon the deputies emerged from the Harte Agency with a young woman in handcuffs.

"It was one of the girls that worked there," Banks said. "I think her name was Meg. She came into the shop once a week or so to get treats for her co-workers. Real nice girl. I can't imagine what she had to do with it."

No one answered the door at Lancaster's home. A neighbor, who declined to give her name, said the suspect had lived there for about one year and was always friendly.

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Detectives confirm nail gun as weapon

Suspicious car seen

The subject of a Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff Department murder investigation likely was killed with a nail gun, according to department spokeswoman Elizabeth Jones.

Jones confirmed the suspected murder weapon Tuesday, saying that the nail gun was found next to the body of real-estate agent Annette Wyatt on the floor of her office.

Wyatt was discovered dead Sunday by a colleague at the Harte Agency, located inside the strip mall at 1923 University Avenue.

She had what appeared to be at least one puncture wound in her neck, but Jones declined to speculate on the exact cause of death until receiving the coroner's report. It's unclear when that report will be completed and released to the public.

Owner of nearby business expresses safety concerns

In the meantime, Yoknapatawpha County investigators have been interviewing people associated with Wyatt and the Harte Agency. But, as of Tuesday, they haven't named any suspects or made any arrests connected with the case.

This is the fifth murder in Yoknapatawpha County since the start of the year, and residents say they're worried about their otherwise peaceful community turning so violent.

"It's frightening," said Tom Banks, who owns Sweet Treats in the strip mall next to the Harte Agency. "You walk around thinking you're safe, and then these murders keep happening."

Banks said he became even more concerned after learning the latest victim was killed next door to his shop.

"I guess no place is safe anymore," Banks said. "Not even here."

Banks described Wyatt as a pleasant woman who always smiled, waved and chatted with him and others in the strip mall. He said she'll be missed.

Victim's neighbors report suspicions

Wyatt's neighbors also expressed sadness, saying she was friendly and helpful.

"She made sure my yard was mowed all last summer when I was recovering from surgery," said Sylvia Phelps, who lives next door to Wyatt's residence.

Phelps had no idea who would kill Wyatt but said she became suspicious of a strange vehicle parked in the victim's driveway several times during the past few weeks.

"It would drive by her house slowly, then back up and drive by again," Phelps said. "Sometimes, the car would just sit there. I only saw the driver once, but it was at night, and I couldn't get a good look."

Doug Wright, who lives two houses down from Wyatt's residence, also remembers the car. He said it was a white sedan but didn't know the make or model.

When asked about the vehicle, Jones declined to say whether detectives knew about it.

"We are following all leads," Jones said. "That's all I can tell you."

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Oxford Realtor found dead Sunday

Yoknapatawpha County Sheriff's detectives are investigating the suspected murder of an Oxford real-estate agent found dead at her office on Sunday.

Annette Wyatt

Annette Wyatt, 37, of 1044 Zilla Avent Road, Oxford, Mississippi, was discovered by a colleague on the floor of the Harte Agency, according to Elizabeth Jones, public information office for the Sheriff's Department.

The Harte Agency is located at 1923 University Avenue.

"We have no suspects at this time but are exploring all leads in this case," Jones said. "This is a top priority now for our investigators."

Jones declined to say how Wyatt had died but confirmed that investigators are treating the death as a homicide. She also said they're still working to determine a motive but that nothing appeared to have been missing from the office.

Several Harte Agency employees contacted by the Oxford Eagle on Sunday said Wyatt was killed by a nail gun.

Jones would neither confirm nor deny that.

"I still can't believe it's real," said Sofia Church, who described having found her colleague on the floor of the office's copy room. "There wasn't even that much blood. I thought she had collapsed from a heart attack or something."

Church said Wyatt had worked at the agency since it had opened and was one of its most productive employees.

"It's going to take us all awhile to come to grips with her death," Church said.

Owner Jeff Harte declined to comment for this story.

Wyatt, a graduate of the University of Mississippi, was active in Oxford's civic and charitable scenes. She was a frequent donor to the city's Art Fund and big a supporter of the local animal shelter, said Debbie Groth, director of the Downtown Oxford Association, which organizes numerous charity events throughout the year.

"I can't think of a better person," Groth said. "We all are deeply saddened. Annette truly will be missed by this community."

Neighbors of Wyatt’s expressed shock over the murder, calling it a senseless tragedy in an otherwise quiet community.

"It's such a sad, sad thing," said Doug Wright, who lives two houses down from Wyatt's residence. "Such a waste."

Wright said Wyatt wasn't married and has no children of which he’s aware.

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