Judge denies bond for man accused of firing at officers
The safety of the public demands a Jackson man accused of firing at least 17 shots from an SKS assault rifle and a 9mm pistol at police in May stays behind bars for now, a judge ruled Monday in a preliminary hearing.
Hinds County Judge Mike Parker denied bond for Willie McGregory, 22, charged with five counts of aggravated assault on a police officer.
“The public will be safer if he is incarcerated,” Parker said in denying bond.
But McGregory’s attorney Sanford Knott argued his client should be given bond because of his medical condition. McGregory was shot in the abdomen during the exchange with police and may need surgery.
McGregory’s bond was set at $250,000 in Jackson Municipal Court but later increased to $400,000, Knott said. He has been in jail since being released from the hospital the day of the shooting.
“The bottom line is he doesn’t need to be in jail,” Knott said.
McGregory fired at least 17 rounds during a gunfire exchange with police on May 18 after he was stopped on a traffic violation in south Jackson, said Sgt. Mike Childress in crime scene investigations at the Jackson Police Department. Police fired 11 times at McGregory, he said.
McGregory then led officers on a 10-mile chase that ended at a McGregory Auto & Specialty Shop, 3407 W. Capitol St., Jackson police said after the shooting. One officer suffered a minor injury.
Clarion Ledger
7/19/5
