By Jeremy Pittari, Item Staff Writer
The Picayune Item
PICAYUNE —
Three young men are facing aggravated assault charges for beating a man they accused of spreading rumors.
Officers with the Picayune Police Department were called out to Highland Community Hospital on Jan. 20, to speak with a victim of a beating that left his jaw broken, said Assistant to the Chief of Police Jeremy Magri.
When officers arrived, they met with the victim who said at just before 11 that night he was spending time with cousins on Carter Street when three people, identified as 19-year-old Walter James Taylor Jr., of 52 Secretariat Dr., 21-year-old Jebarr Locure of 27 S. Ridge Lane in Carriere and a 17-year-old male pulled up to the home on Carter Street and confronted him about allegations that the victim was spreading rumors, Magri said.
A verbal altercation ensued that turned physical and involved all three men hitting the victim with a knee and fists in the face and mouth. Magri said investigation and victim statements alleged Taylor also hit the victim with brass knuckles at one point during the incident.
The victim fell to the ground during the fight and the three men continued to pummel him while he was down, Magri said. Wounds to the victim’s face and jaw were observed by the officer, including what appeared to be a broken lower jaw, and swelling to the right side of the victim’s face, Magri said.
It appears the victim may have to undergo reconstructive surgery to repair the damage, Magri said.
On Friday, officers located all three suspects, charging them each with one count of aggravated assault, which is a felony, Magri said. The charge against the juvenile will be heard by a juvenile court which will determine if the juvenile will be charged as an adult, Magri said.
