So Much For A Strong First Impression

By Editor | September 13, 2023 |

DAVE’S WORLD
By David Howell

Some weeks you struggle for column material and some weeks you create it. Last week I created it. The story about the plea deal for the brothers charged in the 2020 highway murder included a lot of information provided by assistant district attorney Marvell Gordon. The only problem, I had a brain glitch and reported him as Marvell Horton.

I know, it’s not the first time I have renamed someone in a story. So much for making a strong first impression with our new ADA. Last week’s story was one of the first I have written that included his involvement in a detailed court case.

I really like Marvell, he reached out to me to provide information to help me with the story about the highway murder plea deals as soon as the judge signed off on deals during court in Senatobia.
After the paper came out and I realized what I had done, I made a point to find Marvell so I could apologize to him in person. He was in Water Valley last Thursday for the sentencing of another defendant.

He immediately told me it wasn’t a problem and was very gracious about my error. Did I tell you I like Marvell!

A veteran attorney, Marvell started working in the 17th Circuit Court District as an assistant prosecutor in January and primarily works in Yalobusha and Tallahatchie counties. I am looking forward to working with him and building a strong relationship, just as I have enjoyed with his predecessor, Steve Jubera.

Steve is now working as an ADA in Lafayette County, but has returned to this court district to help with a few cases that started under his watch. I talked to Steve a few weeks ago about a case and he said I was one of the few reporters still covering trials and other court proceedings. Even 10 or 15 years ago almost every county had a newspaper that made it a priority to cover court, especially the big cases.

“You and Clay McFerrin (Sun Sentinel Editor) are the only ones left,” he told me. Even big cases in Lafayette County often go unreported. His compliment was appreciated and I probably had a little more swagger in my step for a day or two. Or at least until last week’s paper came out.

Marvell Gordon (right) was appointed to serve as assistant district attorney for the 17th Circuit Court District in January. He is pictured with Circuit Clerk Daryl Burney at an event last year.