By Staff
INTERROGATION  Gregory Sykes, charged with aggravated assault, was captured in Chicago and transported back to Meridian. He is shown Monday with Detective James Sharpe of the Meridian Police Department. Photo by Carisa McCain/The Meridian Star
By Sheila Blackmon/The Meridian Star
July 10, 2001
Gregory Sykes, charged with aggravated assault in connection with a hatchet assault on his wife, Marie Porter-Sykes, made his initial court appearance Monday in Meridian Municipal Court.
The attack occurred on Mother's Day.
He remained in custody today at the Lauderdale County Detention Facility under a $25,000 bond.
Lt. Wade Johnson of the Meridian Police Department said two Meridian police officers drove to Chicago over the weekend, took Sykes into custody and returned to Meridian early Sunday morning.
Sykes, 40, of Meridian, allegedly assaulted his wife then fled the state, taking a 9-year-old grandson from Porter-Sykes' home at 1913 12th Ave.
Johnson said Chicago police and Chicago FBI agents received information about Sykes' whereabouts and took him into custody at a Chicago residence June 24.
Sykes waived extradition shortly afterwards, Johnson said. He said the grandson was recovered unharmed from relatives in the Chicago area and returned safely to Meridian. He said Porter-Sykes has been released from the hospital and is recuperating.
Johnson said Sykes was questioned by investigators after arriving in Meridian.
He said he does not know if Sykes made a statement. He said the case is expected to be presented to a Lauderdale County grand jury in July.
Sheila Blackmon is a staff writer for The Meridian Star. Call her at 693-1551, ext. 3275, or e-mail her at sblackmon@themeridianstar.com.