First on Fox, a Mississippi teenager, already known to local deputies, is accused of murdering an elderly couple in their Mendenhall home. The teen, Cordarius Hobbs, 17, previously suspected in several area burglaries and car thefts, allegedly killed Billy Blair, 74, and Virginia Carol Blair, 71, on June 3.
The Simpson County Sheriff’s Department described Hobbs as a ‘troubled juvenile’ suspected in various crimes. Family members claim Hobbs had worked for the Blairs doing tasks like house cleaning. During a preliminary hearing, family members insisted that Hobbs is innocent despite the allegations.
A report from the incident states, “…When we first arrived, I and other Deputies and Investigators believe the suspect could be a troubled juvenile known to us as Cordarius Hobbs who is also suspected of many other home burglaries as well as auto theft in this immediate area.”
Billy Newsome, Hobbs’ grandfather, holds that his grandson was called to work on the day of the incident and questions his grandson’s guilt. “My grandson used to work for the man. Why would you rob a man that you work for? Why stay there knowing the police are outside and wait until they arrive to flee? It just doesn’t add up,” Newsome pondered.
On June 3, contractors arrived at the Blairs’ home to install a generator. They noticed a car door ajar with guns inside, leading them to call the Simpson County Sheriff’s Department for a welfare check. By noon, officers arrived and a standoff ensued when shots were fired at them, lasting nearly two hours. Hobbs was eventually captured unarmed after attempting to flee the scene.
Investigators found Carol Blair shot three times in the back of the head, and Billy Blair with three gunshot wounds to the face. Hobbs’ defense attorney, Zachary Vaughn, maintains there’s insufficient forensic evidence tying Hobbs to the murders. “Nothing says he’s the principal, or the one who pulled the trigger,” Vaughn stated, adding that the details suggest possible involvement of another individual.
Authorities charged Hobbs with two counts of capital murder, burglary, and ten other charges. Bail was denied. The Blair family, devastated by the event, expressed their grief on Facebook saying they are ‘crushed in spirit, bruised, and brokenhearted.’