Mitigation

May 23rd, 2006

Jackson attorney Judith Kristie Smith, 37, and Thomas Randy Clark, 33, both of Vicksburg were charged with a drive-by shooting that happened at about 12:30 a.m. in Ridgeland. Witnesses say the couple chased down another vehicle following a fender-bender in the parking lot of Krystal Restaurant on East County Line Road and opened fire, injuring the driver. Susan Wiltshire, 22, of Brandon suffered a gunshot wound to her left arm. Two passengers, Elizabeth Wiltshire and Joseph Turnage, both 19, were unharmed.

On Monday, Elizabeth Wiltshire described the moment shots were fired into her sister's dark blue Toyota as "surreal." She said they were planning to go clubbing Sunday morning when her sister suggested they make a stop at the restaurant. While in the drive-thru, a light-blue Jaguar XJ8 struck the Toyota from behind. When she got out to inspect their vehicle for damage, passengers in the Jaguar began yelling at her, she said.

When they left the restaurant, Elizabeth Wiltshire said the Jaguar followed. "They screeched and broke tread out of the parking lot. They were chasing and taunting us."

Susan Wiltshire was heading north on Old Canton Road when the Jaguar pulled up beside her vehicle and one of the occupants allegedly fired several shots.

It’s a toddlin’ town, for sure.

Now, I know – no matter what they say - the kids that got shot were probably yelling and flipping them off and just being teenagers. I mean – who wouldn’t be?

So on Monday, this Clark fellow pleads guilty to this. “A surprise guilty plea” was how the paper reported it. But he told the court he was provoked at the time of the incident. The local D.A. commented that all this time this white trash bastard has been demanding a trial. His attorney has noted that this asshole will present the judge with “mitigating circumstances” that led to the shooting. These are:

#1. He was flipped off.
#2. He didn’t know the gun was loaded.

I really wish I could be there to hear how that goes down in the courtroom.

WT: “But your honor, I didn’t think the gun was loaded!”
Judge: “What? Then why the hell are we here? Charges dropped! (the sound of the gavel banging) Court adjourned.”
WT: “But your honor, I was also flipped off by the prosecution’s witness.”
Judge: “Bailiff, arrest that young lady and cut off her middle finger. Then cane her on the steps of the courthouse. When you’re done, fetch us a round of lattes and some hookers!”