JACKSON, Miss.- This is a news release from the Mississippi Attorney General’s Office.
A Collinsville man was convicted of DUI manslaughter, announced Mississippi Attorney General Jim Hood.
A Lauderdale County Jury deliberated for less than one hour before finding Mitchell James Roberts, 24, guilty of DUI manslaughter in the death of 14-year-old Arnold Aultman, Jr. The wreck happened July 13, 2013, when Roberts, while under the influence of Xanax, drove across two lanes of traffic and struck a vehicle head-on which was occupied by Arnold Aultman, Sr., and Arnold Aultman, Jr. Aultman, Jr. died as a result of the wreck.
“Driving under the influence of anything which impairs reaction and decision making processes can have terrible consequences. Both families will grieve forever. I beg all of our driving age citizens to remember these consequences. Don’t drive if you have taken anything which can affect your abilities,” said Attorney General Hood.
“I’m very proud of the work by Prosecutors, Assistant Attorney General Stanley Alexander, Director of Public Integrity, and Special Assistant Attorney General Molly Miller, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor (TSRP), as well as the Meridian Police Department and Attorney General Investigators Crystal Tillman and Roger Wade.” Hood went on to note, “The TSRP Unit provides training and legal assistance to law enforcement and prosecutors on traffic safety issues, primarily DUI prosecutions. We have resources which can be helpful to schools, churches, and other agencies in the effort to reduce impaired driving. Just call the office at 601-359-3680.”
The case was prosecuted at the request of District Attorney Bilbo Mitchell.
“I would like to thank the Attorney General’s Office for stepping up and handling this case,” said District Attorney Bilbo Mitchell. “Attorney General Hood is a great friend and a fabulous advocate for the State of Mississippi. AAG Stanley Alexander and SAAG Molly Miller were professional advocates for Lauderdale County, and I couldn’t be prouder of their efforts. I would also like to thank my staff for getting the case indicted and working to ensure that justice was done for Arnold Aultman, Jr. I hope Arnold’s death, and this prosecution, will save lives in the future by keeping impaired drivers off the road.”
Roberts faces up to 25 years in prison, and he will be sentenced on April 6, 2016, by Circuit Court Judge Lester Williamson, Jr.
