Morris pleads not guilty in two more cases

Mark Millican

June 01, 2009 08:05 pm

— If Jerry Leonard Morris chooses, he could have three cases against him heard in three jury trials in July.
Morris, 37, of 209 Oak St. in Tunnel Hill, was arrested on March 20 and charged with battery and disorderly conduct after allegedly striking his son’s baseball coach during a preseason practice at Westside Middle School.
Morris pleaded not guilty to those charges on Monday in Superior Court. He also pleaded not guilty to family violence charges of battery, false imprisonment, third degree cruelty to children and criminal trespass dating back to May 29, 2008.
On April 27 Morris pleaded not guilty to leaving the scene of an accident, following too closely, failure to maintain lane, reckless driving, open container in vehicle and criminal trespass from an incident on June 17, 2008.
“We have calendar call on June 29,” said District Attorney Kermit McManus, “ and if Mr. Morris does not plead guilty on any of these cases he could have a trial on each one.” Trials are scheduled to begin on July 13.
Public defender Anna Johnson said she has advised Morris not to talk publicly about his arrests or pleas.
“I don’t know anything about any of these cases,” she said. “All I know is what’s in the indictment. We don’t normally deal with misdemeanors, but now that we’ve picked up the felonies it’s all been transferred to us. I have not received any discovery (information) yet. He could jeopardize his case (by speaking out).”