Here is all the information that I’ve been able to obtain on the recent jury verdict in Pearl River County.

Reportedly, there were 12 plaintiffs. The defendant was Mitchell Crane Services. The case involved personal injuries sustained in 1999. But I do not know what kind of case it was. The trial was bifurcated. The liability phase was tried in 2005.

A couple of weeks ago, a jury awarded total damages of $2.3 million in the damages phase. The largest amount was $1.3 million and went to a woman with $755,000 in medical expenses. Two other plaintiffs were awarded less than $2,600.

Mitch Tyner of Jackson represented the plaintiffs. Bill Whitfield with Copeland Cook’s Gulfport office represented the defendant.

My Take:

Not enough information here for me to have a take on the case, so I’ll reminisce about Pearl River County.

A community South of Poplarville called Derby was like a second home to me growing up. My parents were from there and both sets of my grand-parents lived there.

Probably my earliest memory as a child are a few snippets from riding out Hurricane Camille in the Derby Baptist Church.

When I was a young child, it was a big deal to get to go to “town” (Poplarville). This was back before the influx of people from Louisiana into Pearl River County. It was small, very rural and very conservative. It has a different feel today, even though I suspect that it is still very conservative.

It does not seem that long ago. But now, both my parents and all four grandparents are gone and buried in Poplarville cemeteries. The only time that I go to Poplarville now is for funerals or to visit the cemetery.

I have always wanted to try a case in the Pearl River County Courthouse in Poplarville. At this stage of my life, it would be an emotional experience for reasons not readily apparent to others in the courtroom.