Charges upheld in robbery, beating

Two local men accused of breaking into another man’s home in December and attacking him have been indicted by the May grand jury, officials said.
Jessie Lee Hill, 17, 1235 Oak St, Russellville, and James Anthony Pruitt, 43, 575 Payne Creek, Lot 120, were both indicted for first-degree robbery, second-degree theft of property and first-degree burglary.
According to reports, the alleged incident took place about 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 2 at a residence on St. Clair Street in Russellville.
Investigators said the 50-year-old victim was at home alone when he answered a knock at the door.
Russellville Police Chief Chris Hargett said at the time of the incident that the victim stated two men burst into the home as soon as he opened the door.
“The victim said he saw a short man in a toboggan standing in the doorway and then another man burst through the door and they started to attack him,” Hargett said.
Hargett said the victim told officers that the two men punched and kicked him and eventually found a gun that they allegedly put to the victim’s head and threatened him with.
Reports indicated the men stole the victim’s wallet, three guns, cigarettes, a food stamp card and two cellphones before they left the scene.
After an extensive investigation Hargett said Hill and Pruitt were developed as suspects and implicated in the crime.
Even though Hill is only 17 years old, he is being charged as an adult since first-degree robbery and first-degree burglary are Class A felonies, which are punishable by 10 years to life in prison if convicted.
Second-degree theft of property is a Class C felony punishable by one to 10 years in prison if convicted.
Franklin County District Attorney Joey Rushing said both cases would be scheduled for arraignment on June 28 and the cases could be placed on the criminal trial docket as early as August.