Bond set at $500K each for suspects in slaying

By Associated Press - Friday, May 30, 2014

MCCOMB, Miss. (AP) - Two men and a teenager have pleaded not guilty to charges in the 2013 fatal stabbing of a McComb man.

The three are being held on $500,000 bond each after an appearance this week before Pike County Circuit Judge David Strong.

Prosecutors told the Enterprise-Journal (https://bit.ly/1ny9UHO ) a fourth suspect will be arraigned Monday.

Prosecutors say 18-year-old LaJerrious A. Perkins, 27-year-old Greg A. Fortenberry and a 15-year-old juvenile, all of McComb, are each charged with first-degree murder and conspiracy in the death of Kenneth Thomspon.

Prosecutors say Perkins and Fortenberry also are charged with third-degree arson and conspiracy for allegedly burning Thompson’s pickup truck.

Authorities say the body of the 53-year-old Thompson, of McComb, was found in a shallow grave behind a house in the Pleasant Grove community east of Fernwood on Aug. 18, 2013. Prosecutors say Thompson had been stabbed.

The court appearance for 25-year-old Jason C. Pittman of McComb was rescheduled Wednesday after his attorney was unavailable. Pittman, who is being held on $400,000 bond, is charged with third-degree arson, conspiracy and accessory after the fact of murder.