Trial set for Social Host, alcohol case

The story

On Dec. 17, Purvis resident Kristi Morris was arrested by agents of the Department of Revenue's Alcohol Beverage Control Bureau of Enforcement following an investigation into a September automobile accident that killed three Lamar County teenagers.

Morris was charged with six counts of violating the Social Host statute, which makes it unlawful for an adult to knowingly allow minors to possess and consume alcoholic beverages on his or her property. She also was charged with six counts of furnishing beer/light wine to a person under 21 years of age and one count of possessing beer/light wine in a dry county.

All of the charges are misdemeanors.

The Lamar County Sheriff's Office requested the assistance of the ABC following the fatal accident on Purvis-Oloh Road, which took the lives of Justin Kelly, 17; Carrigan Arban, 16; and Reagan Woolbright, 16. Kelly and Arban were students at Purvis High School, while Woolbright was a student at Oak Grove High School.

Whatever happened?

Morris was released on personal recognizance by Justice Court Judge Charles Greer.

What's next?

Lamar County Attorney Brad Touchstone said Morris is scheduled for trial May 12 in Lamar County Justice Court, where she will be represented by Hattiesburg attorney Christopher Farris.

If convicted, Morris would face a maximum of 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine on each of the Social Host charges, 90 days in jail and/or a $500 fine on the possession-in-a-dry-county charge and 30 days of community service and a $500 fine on each of the furnishing to a minor charges.

"I've met with agents from the ABC about the charges, so now we're just getting ready for the trial," Touchstone said.