DeSoto Co. murder suspect faces new charges

HERNANDO, Miss. (AP) — A 55-year-old DeSoto County man awaiting trial for the murder of a woman he is accused of running down with his car as she tried to flee on a bicycle in 2011 has been arrested on drug and weapon charges.

The Commercial Appeal reports (http://bit.ly/X0K5Bp ) James Allen Whitten Jr. was arrested at his Hernando home by the DeSoto County Sheriff's Department Thursday.

He was charged with the five counts of possession of controlled substances: heroin, morphine, marijuana, methamphetamine and alprazolam, a prescription medicine. Deputies said he also had brass knuckles, and was charged with possession of a weapon by a felon.

Whitten is being held without bond.

He was arrested Dec. 22, 2011, in the slaying of Sarah Jones.

It was unclear whether he has an attorney.

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Information from: The Commercial Appeal, http://www.commercialappeal.com