News from July 10, 2003 issue




Jailer Gilland faces shooting charge

Crittenden County Jailer Jerry Gilland is charged with firing a handgun at his daughter's boyfriend Monday night. Gilland, who was not immediately arrested after the incident, was charged with wanton endangerment Tuesday and lodged in Crittenden County Jail. No bond had been as of late Tuesday.

Police say Gilland went to 209 Creek Street about 11:30 p.m., Monday where he confronted David Gipson, 38, of Marion. Gilland allegedly fired one shot from a small-caliber, semi-automatic handgun at Gipson, who was not injured.

Gilland already was facing a felony and misdemeanor charge in Crittenden District Court following a state police investigation last year which resulted in charges that he profited on public funds.

West Nile Virus found in local bird
A bird found dead in Crittenden County June 30 has tested positive for West Nile Virus.
Greg Hodge, senior health environmentalist in Crittenden County, said the cardinal was one of two dead birds brought to the local health department for testing.

Hodge said several other birds earlier this summer tested negative for the virus, which is transmitted through mosquito bites.

"Since we found a positive bird in Crittenden County, we know the virus is here so we won't accept any more (for testing)," Hodge said.

Hodge refused to release the name of the man who discovered the bird or give his address. Hodge described the location of the infected bird as coming from the west central part of the county, outside the city limits.

Hodge said the man did not report having symptoms of West Nile Virus, which include flu-like symptoms such as fever and body aches.

"We knew West Nile was in the area last year and that it probably was here again this year.
"It's not a major health threat to healthy people," Hodge said. "Someone with a compromised immune system or someone who has a tremendous amount of mosquito bites would be more likely to get sick.

"I tell people to avoid being bitten by mosquitoes, not to be out when mosquitoes are active and to use mosquito repellent."

Constable pleads guilty to bootlegging
The Crittenden County constable charged with bootlegging earlier this year pleaded guilty in Crittenden District Court July 1.

James D. "Jimmy" Binkley, 54, was sentenced to 12 months in jail for trafficking alcohol in a dry territory. Binkley will be required to serve 30 days of that sentence, as well as complete an in-house alcohol rehabilitation program. As part of his sentence, Binkley was required to resign as constable from District 5.

Police in April executed a search warrant and discovered two operating moonshine stills, several cases of beer and bottles of liquor at Binkley's home on Weldon Road.

County Judge-Executive Pippi Hardin said Tuesday that he plans to offer the constable's position to Mike Stone. Stone ran against Binkley in the constables race last November. As a write-in candidate, Stone garnered 82 votes, but Binkley, whose name was on the ballot, got 263.

Binkley also ran an unsuccessful campaign for sheriff several years ago.
Additionally last week, Binkley pleaded guilty to seven other charges, including DUI, stemming from his March arrest by a Marion Police Officer.

District Judge Rene Williams authorized the release of $751 in cash that police confiscated from Binkley's home at the time of his arrest on bootlegging charges. That money will not be returned to him. Instead, it will go into the Crittenden County Sheriff's Drug Fund.

The moonshine still confiscated at Binkley's home is now property of the Kentucky State Police, court records show.

Trooper Brent White said they will either be destroyed or donated to the Crittenden County Historical Museum as Binkley suggested upon his arrest.