Alcorn County roundup, Oct. 27, 2026: Bean receives 40 years; Corinth parkway deadline extended
CORINTH, Miss. — A Corinth man received a 40-year prison sentence after guilty pleas to aggravated assault and accessory after the fact of murder, while two other defendants received 30-year terms in the Patrick Patterson case, according to reports published Tuesday by Alcorn County News. The sentences were imposed Oct. 22 during Alcorn County Circuit Court’s October term.
Other local coverage includes additional guilty pleas, a longer construction schedule for South Parkway Street, a hospital staffing partnership and progress on the Freedom Center campus.
Three sentenced in Patterson case; capital murder charge remains pending
Antonius Bean, 24, of Corinth, received 40 years to serve after pleading guilty Oct. 22 to aggravated assault and accessory after the fact of murder. Circuit Judge Kelly L. Mims imposed consecutive 20-year sentences. The report connects the accessory charge to Patterson’s Jan. 15, 2025, death.
In the same case, Mariah Vanderwal, 24, of Corinth, and Virginia Schauer, 26, of Bismarck, North Dakota, each pleaded guilty Oct. 22 to accessory after the fact of murder and tampering with physical evidence. Each received consecutive terms of 20 and 10 years, totaling 30 years to serve.
The Vanderwal report says Rashawn Hawkins’ capital murder charge remains pending. That charge is an allegation, and Hawkins is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Other court sentences include burglary, arson and drug cases
Kennisha Alexander, 30, and Sharett Bennett, 38, both of Corinth, each received 10 years to serve after pleading guilty Oct. 20 to burglary of a dwelling and first-degree arson. Each received consecutive five-year prison terms, an additional 35 years suspended and five years of post-release supervision, according to Alcorn County News.
Darnell Durr Sr., 52, of Corinth, pleaded guilty Oct. 22 to trafficking methamphetamine. Mims imposed 40 years with 30 suspended, leaving 10 years to serve, followed by five years of post-release supervision.
Jeffery Jolly, 62, of Corinth, pleaded guilty Oct. 22 to possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, stealing timber and possession of methamphetamine. His sentence totals 20 years with 15 suspended and five to serve, followed by five years of post-release supervision. The report attributes the charges to separate Alcorn and Tishomingo county sheriff’s investigations.
South Parkway project receives 124 more days
Corinth aldermen approved a 124-day extension for the South Parkway Street widening project, moving its completion deadline to Jan. 31, according to Alcorn County News’ account of Daily Corinthian reporting. Utility and fiber relocation delayed the work; with those moves finished, city officials said widening could begin soon. The project extends a turning lane south of U.S. 72.
The same report says Mike’s Lane paving is now expected in spring. Other board business included property-cleanup proceedings on Madison Street and Rolling Wood Circle, accounts for state-funded projects, Jackie Holt’s appointment to The Alliance board and city office closings Nov. 26–27, Dec. 24–25 and Jan. 1.
Magnolia Regional adds hospital medicine partner
Magnolia Regional Health Center in Corinth has partnered with Relias Healthcare for physician and advanced practice clinician coverage in its hospital medicine program. Alcorn County News, citing an announcement reported by the Daily Corinthian, says the Tupelo-based organization will support staffing, recruitment and retention. Hospital leaders said patients should expect continuity in their care.
Freedom Center chapel finished; cottages underway
A chapel and multipurpose building is complete and three residential cottages are under construction at Living Free Ministries’ Freedom Center campus off Central School Road in Alcorn County. The ministry is seeking $750,000 by year’s end for the next phase, according to Alcorn County News’ summary of Daily Corinthian reporting. A public dinner is planned Nov. 17 at The Woodlands; the current center is intended to become transitional housing for program graduates.
Dry weather persists ahead of weekend rain chances
A National Weather Service Memphis update published Monday night describes severe to extreme drought across much of the Mid-South. Its Monday evening forecast, which includes Corinth, called for a warm, dry workweek with regional highs in the mid-70s to lower 80s before rain chances increase during Halloween weekend; forecast amounts were generally under an inch. The report also lists a free SKYWARN class Nov. 5, 6–8 p.m., at North East Mississippi Electric Power Association, 1389 Cooperative Way in Oxford.
Shopping guide: ground blinds
A new Alcorn County deer-season shopping guide compares five pop-up ground blinds, discussing capacity, portability, viewing panels and window designs. The source contains Amazon affiliate links and discloses that the publisher earns from qualifying purchases.
This roundup covers qualifying Alcorn County News articles originally published from 4:30 p.m. Oct. 26 through 4:30 p.m. Oct. 27, 2026, Central time.
