Published: June 11, 2008 10:35 am         

MDOC inmate charged in Green slaying

After more than six years, an inmate has been charged in the 2002 murder of local catfish farmer, Charles Green.

Attala County Sheriff William Lee said a warrant was issued to a Mississippi Department of Corrections inmate Darrell McBride on Thursday, June 5, in the Kemper County Correctional Facility.

Lee, who inherited the case in 2003 when he became sheriff, said strong physical evidence has implicated McBride in the case.

McBride, 33, of Attala County, has been serving an 18-year manslaughter sentence in the death of LaTricia Wilson since 2004. Wilson was murdered in 2003 in Leake County and her body was found in Attala County in Lobutcha Creek.

Green, owner of Acres O’Lakes catfish farm, was found mortally wounded by his wife, Nancy, at their Attala County residence March 2, 2002.

“This is what the family has anticipated for more than six years,” Nancy, who serves as The Star-Herald’s People and Events editor, said. “This is the first step leading to the process that will hopefully bring justice and a sense of completeness to a tragedy that has affected every member of our family. The pain of our loss will always be with us.”

Green’s brothers, H.T. and Lester, share Nancy’s thoughts.

“Thrilled beyond words,” they said. “The sheriff’s department did not give up and we didn’t either. We hope the trial will come up very soon.”

Though waiting for the judicial process to take its course is hard on the family, Lee said he feels confident that a conviction will be made in the court system.

“I feel we can now give some closure to the family and the general public,” Lee said.

“We appreciate the community’s concern and support through our grief,” Nancy said. “Your prayers have sustained us and we ask that you continue to remember us in the days ahead.”

Lee said he wanted to thank the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, Cold Case Division and District Attorney Doug Evans’ office for the help on the case as well as the community.

McBride could make his first initial appearance in court as early as next week. The maximum sentence for murder is life without parole.