Law Enforcement Report

By Editor | October 6, 2010 |

Hawkins Pleads Guilty In Shooting

By Jack Gurner
Reporter

WATER VALLEY – Yolanda Hawkins has pleaded guilty in Circuit Court to a reduced charge of manslaughter in the death of Hugh E. Nicholson Jr.

Hawkins shot Nicholson in the chest during a confrontation at 207 Wagner Street on Nov. 16, 2008. Nicholson made it to 209 Wagner before collapsing. He was pronounced dead at the scene. Hawkins was arrested the next day.

She was initially charged with murder, but with the last minute plea bargain, the District Attorney John Champion agreed to reduce the charge to manslaughter in exchange for her guilty plea. Her case had been set for trial on September 27.

Nicholson had been in the news just a week before the shooting when a family home he owned on East Lee Street burned.

Hawkins, 26, was sentenced Sept. 27 to one year and two days time served plus 18 years, 363 days probation.

Lt. Rick McCuan reported the following additional law enforcement activity within the Water Valley City limits during the past two weeks:

• Made three arrests for driving under suspension;

• Made two arrests for trespassing;

• Made an arrest for simple assault;

• Made an arrest for possession of marijuana;

• Made an arrest for public drunk, disorderly conduct and resisting arrest;

• Made an arrest for public drunk;

• Made an arrest for public profanity;

• Took two reports of burglary;

• Took two reports of simple assault;