Thomas Randall “Randy” Pruitt entered a guilty plea to second degree murder charges in the shooting death of his father, James Thomas Pruitt, on Thursday, November 13 in Weakley County Circuit Court. As part of a plea agreement, Pruitt was sentenced to 15 years in prison, according to District Attorney Tommy Thomas. Pruitt was represented by public defender Collin Johnson.

    The DA stated that during meetings with Deborah Pruitt, Randall Pruitt’s mother and wife of the victim, she asked for leniency for her son.

    “We took that into consideration in determining the plea offer,” said Thomas.

    A second degree murder conviction carries a penalty range of 15 to 25 years, the DA said. Because second degree is classified as a violent offense, the offender must serve 85 percent of the sentence before being eligible for parole, he stated.

    Pruitt, 30, will serve his sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction, although it is not yet known which penal institution he will be assigned.

    Pruitt was taken into custody shortly after the fatal shooting on May 15 at the home he shared with his parents and his 12-year-old daughter at 2570 East Grove Road, between Gleason and McKenzie.

The Weakley County 911 Center received a call to the Pruitt home at 8:20 p.m. on that date, reporting a shooting. When deputies arrived, they found 61-year-old James Thomas “Doodle” Pruitt dead from a gunshot wound.

    The shooting occurred during a dispute between the son and his mother in the living room of the home, according to Randall McGowan, a chief investigator with the Weakley County Sheriff’s Department.

    According to a warrant, Randall Pruitt was armed with a .32 caliber handgun and fired one round off the front porch of the house before he pushed his mother, Deborah Pruitt, on the living room floor.

 

(Read the rest of this story in the November 19th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

    A 32-year-old Gleason man, who was arrested by Gleason police Saturday, November 8 on assorted charges, will not be extradited to Florida on auto theft charges despite active warrants out for his arrest.

    Joseph Louis Rivas of 609 West Street was arrested locally for public intoxication, trespassing, and evading arrest.

    According to an affidavit filed by Ptl. Jeff Hazlewood of the Gleason Police Department, at approximately 3:30 a.m., the officer was dispatched to a West Street residence to investigate a report of someone trespassing.

    When Ptl. Hazlewood arrived on the scene, he found Rivas knocking on the door of the residence and ordered him to walk toward the patrol car. But when Rivas spotted police, he ran to the rear of the residence and locked himself inside a storage unit.

    According to Ptl. Hazlewood, at the time of Rivas’ arrest, he had a strong odor of alcohol about him and was unsteady on his feet.

    Rivas was transported to the Weakley County Detention Center, and a background check revealed the suspect had active warrants on him in Hillsborough County, Florida for felony vehicle theft.

(Read the rest of this story in the November 19th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)

  

    Members of the Gleason Board of Mayor and Aldermen recognized outgoing Alderman Richard Horn for his years of service to the city of Gleason during the board’s regular monthly meeting Thursday, November 13. Prior to the meeting, the board also held a public hearing concerning a Community Development Bock Grant being sought to purchase a new fire truck for the Gleason Fire Department. Another major topic of discussion was a resolution approving a countywide mitigation plan outlining emergency response in the event of various types of emergencies.

 

Horn Says Farewell

 

    During Alderman Horn’s last board meeting, after losing his re-election bid to Jerry A. Dunn, Jr. in the November 4 General Election, he thanked his fellow citizens for allowing him to serve on the board.

    Alderman Horn, who has been a resident of Gleason for the past 38 years, said, “I appreciate all of the city’s help and the employees,” Horn said. “Everybody has worked together to make the city what it is. We just sit back here and vote ‘yes’ or ‘no’, and you all have to take care of everything. I appreciate the opportunity to serve the city and to work with you all. It’s been a ride.”

    Directing his comments at Gleason Alderman-elect Dunn, Horn said, “I’ll tell you one thing, when you sit in this seat, you’ll be the last man to vote. When two vote ‘yes’ and two vote ‘no,’ it falls on your shoulders. And if you ‘pass,’ it really locks things up.”

    Fellow board members, city employees and local citizens expressed their appreciation to Horn for the many contributions he has helped to make to the city during his 25 ½ years in office.

    Gleason Mayor Jack Dunning summarized the board’s accomplishments during Horn’s time as alderman, saying, “Just about everywhere you look, Richard’s had a hand in it, from the fire station, to this meeting room, library, water plant, two water tanks, bridges, roads, and two new fire trucks. You don’t have to drive very far to see the things he has helped accomplish for this town. I appreciate him. He has not only been a board member, he’s been a dear friend of mine.”

    “Mayor, I’d like to say, being the oldest employee, that Richard has always supported the Gleason Police Department, and we appreciate that,” said Gleason Police Chief Edmond Stewart.

    Alderman Jerry Connell, who also serves as Gleason Fire Chief, stated Horn has always supported the Gleason Fire Department, which is much appreciated.

    Public Works Director Dale Stephens said, “We have upgraded, I’ll say that. We trade and get a new backhoe every two years. I’ve been here going on nine years now, and it’s been a great bunch of people to work with. Richard, I hate to see you go. But, I’m right across the street, so if I need you, I’ll come and get you,” Stephens joked.

 

(Read the rest of this story in the November 19th print edition of the Dresden Enterprise.)