C&A attorney Chuck Mullins recently handled the preliminary hearing for Carly Harrison, a young lady accused of being involved in the Simon City Royals street gang. Ms. Harrison’s bond was drastically reduced after the preliminary hearing revealed that her involvement in the alleged crime was not as great as police originally thought. Here is the story and video.
Details of Alleged Gang Fight Revealed
Aug 5, 2008 06:01 PM CDT Suspected Gang Members in Court
By Monica Hernandez
Carley Harrison’s family was tearful as the 25-year-old faced a Rankin County judge in connection with a July 10th gang fight in Richland. Police say Harrison admits to being involved with the drug-pushing street gang known as the Simon City Royals, but wasn’t directly involved in the fight. Still, she’s facing charges of conspiracy and aggravated assault.
During Harrison’s preliminary hearing, authorities described– in detail– what led to the fight that brought the Simon City Royals to the public’s attention. According to police, former member Brian Miller broke the gang’s rules.
“His violation has to do with what’s called a pool box. There’s money in there from dues, it’s also been associated with drug activity, the sell of narcotics,” said Richland Police Investigator Lloyd Coulter.
Police say Miller and Sammy Nardee came to them June 30th, afraid for their lives because they couldn’t pay back money from the pool box. Since then, they’ve been informing police about the gang.
On July 10th, police said up to 25 gang members came to Nardee’s home on Pearl Avenue in Richland for a “smash on site” beating. Police say a 17-year-old with no ties to the gang was sent to the hospital after being hit in the head during the fight. Police haven’t identified who hit him.
“The person who did it needs to be held accountable, everyone else does not,” said Matt Baldridge, an attorney for suspected gang member Kevin Smith. Smith was also in court August 5th, but his preliminary hearing was waived. “What’s clear today is right now we don’t know who injured the victim.”
Although police say Nardee has been trying to get out of the gang, graffiti covers the ground outside his home.
A woman in the home came outside, saying that media coverage has caused her son enough problems.
Meanwhile, police say Nardee and Miller have declined offers for police protection.
Neighbors said it’s not the first time they’ve seen gang activity in the area.
“The park ain’t like it used to be, the street ain’t like it used to be, real nice,” said Jean Cooper, who lives a few houses down from Nardee. “
Police say several gang members gathered in the Wal-Mart parking lot in Richland before the smash-on-site beating at Nardee’s Pearl Avenue home. And they say Carley Harrison was one of the drivers.
Although Harrison’s waited in her car during the fight, she’s charged with conspiracy and aggravated assault. Her bond has been set at $35,000 on the condition that she not see other gang members and go to school or get a job.
The preliminary hearing was waived for another other suspected gang member also in court August 5th.Brittany Lee is charged with being an accessory before and after the fact. Her bond is set at $35,000.
Smith is charged with aggravated assault and conspiracy. As a convicted felon, his bond has been set at $200,000, reduced from over $1 million.
Disclaimer: This blog is intended as general information purposes only, and is not a substitute for legal advice. Anyone with a legal problem should consult a lawyer immediately.