A Yazoo County couple’s truck disappeared while in the possession of the sheriff’s department at the county barn.
The county apparently cannot legally compensate the couple for the truck, however, even though county officials acknowledge the truck was stolen while it was supposed to be secured on county property.
J.H. and Glenda Thurman and their daughter appeared before the Yazoo County Board of Supervisors last week seeking compensation for a 1986 Ford F150 that was seized for evidence after their son, Dewayne Thurman, was charged with a murder where he attempted to make the crime appear to be an accident.
Dewayne Thurman accepted a plea deal in 2015, and was sentenced to 20 years.
Three days after their son accepted a plea deal, Glenda Thurman paid over $200 for the towing fees for the truck and then went to reclaim it.
“Where is the truck,” asked District 4 Supervisor Jayne Dew.
“It’s nowhere to be found,” their daughter responded.
Sheriff Jake Sheriff said he does not dispute that the truck disappeared while in the county’s possession.
“She’s exactly right about what she’s saying,” Sheriff said. “The truck was towed to the county barn, and it came up missing.”
The Thurmans are asking for $6,575 for the truck, which is the highest value listed for that model.
Sheriff said he wants to compensate the family for the truck, but he did believe the amount they were asking for was more than the actual value of the truck.
“That truck was in mint condition and had everything on it,” Thurman said. “I feel like what we’re asking for is reasonable.”
Sheriff said he did not know how many miles the truck had on the odometer.
The Thurmans also want to be reimbursed for the fees associated with towing the truck.
Sheriff said that the county wouldn’t be responsible for the towing fees under any circumstances because the truck was towed for the investigation, and those fees would have been required even if the truck had not been stolen.
“You should absolutely have gotten the truck back, but you would have still been responsible for the towing fees,” Sheriff said.
The truck was initially seized because it was considered part of a crime scene. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation examined the truck for evidence and then released it to the Yazoo County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff said that no one has attempted to purchase a tag for the truck, and they have been unable to determine what happened.
“That gate didn’t unlock itself,” said District 3 Supervisor Willie “Deuce” Wright.
“A truck doesn’t walk off,” Dew added.
Board Attorney Jay Barbour said the board does not have the authority to pay for the truck, even if that’s what the board wanted to do.
“Even if y’all determined that you should pay for this truck, you are prohibited by law from making volunteer payments,” Barbour said.
Barbour said that if the board were to pay the money being asked for the truck, the state auditor would likely take action against the county and seek to recover the money from the Thurmans.
“By state law it would be considered an illegal donation and payment,” Barbour said. “The state auditor’s office would then get involved in getting the money back. That’s no good for anybody.”
Barbour said the Thurmans would have to file suit and prove that the county was responsible and the value of the vehicle.
“If a judgment was issued against the county, then the county could pay that money without getting in trouble, and without you getting in trouble,” Barbour said.
“All of this makes no sense,” Thurman said. “I understand what you’re saying, but it’s like we’re responsible for something the sheriff’s department had in their possession. Why should we have to be taking off of work and doing all of this? All we’re asking is that we be reimbursed so that we can move on with our lives. That’s all we’re asking for. This is nonsense.”
“I agree with you, but you have to go with the legalities of what’s involved,” said District 1 Supervisor Van Foster. “We can’t just voluntarily do it. That’s the sad part.”
“I’m sorry,” said Board President Cobie Collins.
