New Trial Order For Colorado Woman Reversed In Mississippi
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) - A state judge's order of a new trial for a Colorado woman sentenced to two years in prison for manslaughter has been reversed by the Mississippi Supreme Court.
Nancy Faye Reaume, also known as Nancy Faye Yacobucci, of Fort Collins, pleaded guilty in August in Jasper County Circuit Court to manslaughter.
Prosecutors say the body of 68-year-old Joseph "J. L." Tatum was found Nov. 11, 2012, in his camper trailer in rural Jasper County. Tatum died of a gunshot wound to the chest.
Reaume, 29, was arrested in Texas and was in possession of Tatum's 1999 Chevrolet Suburban.
She was sentenced to seven years in prison with two years to serve and five years' post-release supervision.
The Chronicle reports a state judge threw out her conviction after Tatum's family protested that prosecutors didn't consult with them about the woman's plea or notify them of when she would be sentenced to they could be in court. The judge scheduled a new trial for next February.
Reaume appealed the state judge's order.
The state Supreme Court ruled last month that Tatum's family had no right to appeal Reaume's plea and sentence. The Supreme Court said the family failed to show they were damaged by the resolution of the case.
The Supreme Court reinstated Reaume's plea and sentence.
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