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Baxter found guilty of capital murder

NATCHEZ, MS (WLOX)- Christopher Baxter has been found guilty of capital murder in the 2010 death of George County Sheriff Garry Welford and will spend the rest of his life in jail without the possibility of parole. The jury returned that verdict Friday night, just a few hours after beginning their deliberations. 

Despite the verdict, Baxter can not be sentenced to death under Judge Richard McKenzie's ruling that he is intellectually disabled.

Greene Co. students in trouble after search of high school

GREENE COUNTY, MS (WLOX)- An anonymous tip to authorities Friday led to three high school students being turned over to the Greene County Sheriff's Department.  

Officials aren't saying much, other than the tips were about violations of the school district's "Student Code of Conduct."

According to the Greene County School District, the students were turned over after a search of the high school found items that could potentially be used as a weapon.

South Mississippi legislators talk about the 2012 session

SOUTH MISSISSIPPI (WLOX)- The 2012 legislative session is officially over. Congress was forced to tackle some controversial issues and come to an agreement on a budget.

One controversial bill that gained national attention was the abortion bill requiring any doctor performing an abortion to be an OBGYN, with admitting privileges to a local hospital.

Representative Casey Eure said, "I believe this bill is going to put them out so Mississippi is now going to be an abortion free state, which is something we are very proud of."

Utility companies warn customers of bill scam

SOUTH MISSISSIPPI (WLOX)- A scam is making the rounds in South Mississippi that's targeting utility customers. Singing River Electric Power Association was the first to warn their members about a rumor negatively impacting power bill payments. But now Coast Electric and Mississippi Powers customers are reportedly receiving the same calls. 

University of South AL lifts lock down after armed robbery

MOBILE, AL (WLOX)- The University of South Alabama (USA) has lifted the lock down they issued for students living on campus after two robbery suspects allegedly held a student at gunpoint around 3 p.m. on Sunday, according to University of South Alabama spokesperson Keith Ayers.

According to Ayers, a student at the Delta 4 residence hall was robbed by two suspects, who were not students at the university.

Two dead after Highway 98 crash in George County

GEORGE COUNTY, MS (WLOX)- A Lucedale man and a teenager are dead, while another man is fighting for his life after a single vehicle accident Saturday evening.

According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a Jeep Cherokee was traveling eastbound on Highway 98 with three men and a 15-year-old inside when the driver went off the road just west of Highway 63.

Authorities say it appeared the driver over-corrected and the vehicle flipped, ejecting two people before coming to a stop in the median.

Baxter will not receive death penalty

ADAMS COUNTY, MS (WLOX)- The man accused of killing George County Sheriff Gary Welford will not face the death penalty.

Monday, Judge Richard McKenzie ruled Christopher Baxter "is mentally retarded as defined by the Mississippi Supreme Court."  Consequently, Baxter cannot be sentenced to death if a jury determines he's guilty of killing George County Sheriff Garry Welford.

However, Judge McKenzie also ruled Baxter's confession to investigators could be used during his trial.