Jones County Circuit Court Judge Dal Williamson has announced that the current term of court scheduled to begin on Monday, July 27 has been postponed.
The judge had recently worked out agreements with Jones College President Jesse Smith and the Jones County Board of Supervisors to use the auditorium inside the Ronald E. Whitehead Advanced Technology Center in Ellisville as a venue to host court sessions. The size of the auditorium there would allow plenty of space for court personnel and jurors to spread out in respect to guidelines associated with COVID-19.
“After careful consideration of all factors, I have postponed the Ellisville term of Circuit Court,” said the judge in a press memo. “The Court has considered the large increase in the number of COVID cases in Jones County in recent weeks. The Court is advised that South Central Regional Medical Center, as required by federal law, has also been receiving patients from non-traditional areas such as Natchez, Hazlehurst, and Butler, Alabama – in addition to local patients.
“Exposing potential jurors, court staff and parties to increased risks of COVID-19 is ill advised at this time,” he continued. “The Court has also been advised that at least one witness scheduled to testify at one of the first trials has tested positive for COVID.”
The judge did note that the time is approaching when jurors will be summoned for jury trials.
“It is likely that this will be at a time when not all fears or concerns about COVID-19 have been allayed or put to rest. But the criminal justice system cannot be put on hold indefinitely with no trials. Please respond to your jury summons when that time arrives,” he concluded.