By By Marianne Todd/The Meridian Star
May 21, 2001
The trial of a Meridian man accused of shooting a Lauderdale County man in February 2000 was scheduled to begin today in Lauderdale County Circuit Court.
Michael Allen Wright, 19, of 3781 Spring St., was arrested by Lauderdale County deputies after he allegedly shot 39-year-old Robert Null Verden of Toomsuba in the neck with a .22 caliber pistol.
The shooting occurred in a trailer in Toomsuba.
Wright had entered a petition to plead guilty to the charge in December. In that plea arrangement, Wright agreed to serve a five-year prison sentence and to pay more than $10,000 in restitution.
In the petition, Wright stated he shot Verden because "we had a difference of opinion."
Wright withdrew his petition a month later, stating he could not say under oath that he committed the crime of aggravated assault and that he has a viable defense. The trial was scheduled for 9 a.m. before Circuit Judge Robert Bailey.
Also scheduled for trial today is Daryl T. Johnson, who was indicted by a grand jury in November for allegedly robbing Kenneth Crabtree at gunpoint in December, 1999.
According to indictment, Johnson is accused of holding a .25 caliber semi-automatic pistol to Crabtree, taking his wallet and $202 in cash.
Marianne Todd is a staff writer for the Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3236, or e-mail her at mtodd@themeridianstar.com