CL: Alabama sending man back to Mississippi to face charges in slaying

Mississippi will get the first chance to convict killing spree suspect James Cobb Hutto, according to Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith.

Smith said officials in Alabama, where Hutto has been held since his Sept. 17 arrest near Auburn, have agreed to transfer the 39-year-old former mixed martial arts fighter to Mississippi for prosecution by Nov. 4.

Hutto, a Jasper, Ala., resident, is accused of the Sept. 13 slaying of 81-year-old Ethel Simpson of Clinton. In Alabama, Hutto being held on a murder charge for the death of his great-aunt Virginia Rardon two days later. He also faces an assault charge for allegedly attacking Mark Ambers Cox, 56, of Opelika, on Sept. 17.

CL

Related Posts: Clinton PD asks for help finding missing Clinton woman last seen with sex offender
A Sad Ending To The Story

A Sad Ending To The Story

Ethel Simpson

Authorities await positive ID on body found at Edwards hog farm


Hinds County Sheriff Malcolm McMillin was tight-lipped today on details of the investigation into the killing of a woman believed to be 81-year-old Ethel Winstead Simpson of Clinton.

“I’m not going to comment on any aspects of the investigation,” he said, citing concerns that what he might say would adversely influence a future grand jury or trial jury considering charges against 39-year-old James Cobb Hutto of Jasper, Ala.

Law officers believe Hutto killed Simpson late Sept. 13 or early Sept. 14. Simpson was last seen the night Sept. 13 at Riverwalk Casino in Vicksburg wearing a red shirt and khaki pants. She was with Hutto, a convicted sex offender and kidnapper.

An examination of dental records today will provide information needed to positively identify the body.

Read the entire article at the Clarion Ledger Online

Related Posts: Clinton PD asks for help finding missing Clinton woman last seen with sex offender

Clinton PD asks for help finding missing Clinton woman last seen with sex offender

Ethel Simpson

Clinton police and family members of an 81 year old Clinton resident are fearing the worst. This after she was last seen with a violent offender.

Ethel Simpson visits the Baptist Healthplex Center on the Mississippi College campus every day. Monday she had a fender bender in the parking lot. She went back inside and was approached by a stranger who had signed in using a guest pass. 39 year old James Cobb Hutto.

WLBT obtained pictures of the wanted man. He is wearing a black T-shirt and signing in for a guest pass. We ask if she was targeted? "It's difficult to say but a good strong possibility," replied Chief Don Byington during a Thursday morning news conference.

Police say Hutto befriended the woman. He and Mrs. Simpson are seen leaving the healthplex together, with Hutto behind the wheel of her Mercedes. That sent up a red flag. An employee was on the last people to talk to her around 4:30 Monday afternoon. "She said she felt sorry for him. She said I really think he's on the up and up," according to Jan Cossitt.

James Hutto

But was James Hutto truthful? We have learned they went to lunch, then she dropped him off at a Clinton hotel. "He said to Simpson, that he had not told anybody but he had cancer and he had no family," according to Chief Byington.

Despite warnings, the elderly woman winds up with Hutto at a Vicksburg casino Monday night. They were last seen leaving the casino together around 11;40 p.m. What she didn't know was, this man has a violent criminal history.

"At present he is wanted for not registering as a sex offender." The Alabama man's rap sheet reveals a troubling history. Criminal trespassing, domestic violence, 1st degree kidnapping and felony sexual abuse. According to Jan Cossitt, "He just prayed on a big hearted elderly lady, he is an excellent con man apparently."

The last known sighting was at 3:00 in the morning. The Mercedes was seen traveling east on I-20. No one knows if Ethel Simpson was in the car.

Simpson's Mercedes is a silver C 240 4-door model, with a broken rear tail light on the driver's side. The tag number is HXH 426.

Anyone with information about Ethel Simpson or James Cobb Hutto's whereabouts should contact the Clinton Police Department 601-924-5252.

UPDATE: James Cobb Hutto, the man sought in connection with the disappearance of an elderly Clinton woman, has been arrested in Alabama. There is still no sign of the missing woman, Ethel Simpson. Hutto was driving her car when he was found.


WLBT

Cyclist Curing Cancer Century Ride to be held in Clinton on September 18.

The Cyclists Curing Cancer Century Ride takes place on Saturday, September 18th, starting at 7:30 a.m.

The ride begins at the Baptist Healthplex in Clinton, Mississippi, and stretches south along the Natchez Trace Parkway. Bikers can choose to ride 25, 50, 62 or 100 miles to benefit Baptist Cancer Services’ Serenity Garden for cancer patients and their families. All participants will receive a Century Ride t-shirt and will enjoy lunch after the event. Rest stops along the route will be well stocked with water and snacks.

Early registration and packet pick-up will be held Friday, September 17, from 4:30-6:00 p.m. at the Hederman Cancer Center at Baptist Medical Center on North State Street in Jackson.  Registration will also be available at the Baptist Healthplex Saturday morning prior to the ride.

The Serenity Garden, located directly outside the Hederman Cancer Center, offers a private, secluded area where cancer patients and their families can enjoy peace and quiet, fresh air and a place to “escape.”

This year’s riders also have the opportunity to ride in honor or in memory of someone who has battled cancer. For a $10 donation, the rider's honoree name will be displayed on the biking jersey.

For more information call 601.968.1248