Published: September 22, 2008 10:24 pm      

Convicted felon may go back to prison

Clint McNeil jailed on DUI charge

blivington@themeridianstar.com



A man who was on parole for manslaughter found himself back behind bars Monday after a trooper with the Mississippi Highway Patrol arrested him for driving under the influence.

Clint McNeil pleaded guilty in April in the 2005 Clarke County murder case in which he was accused of killing 17-year-old Cedric Chambliss.

McNeil was stopped Monday afternoon by a highway patrolman after McNeil was reportedly observed driving erratically. He was arrested for suspicion of being under the influence and taken to the Lauderdale County Jail. He was later charged with misdemeanor driving under the influence of something other than alcohol.

Chambliss’ body was found Jan. 3, 2005, on U.S. Highway 11 in Clarke County near the Lauderdale County line in a car that belonged to his sister. He had been shot once in the head.

McNeil was arrested in March 2005.He accepted a plea agreement to the charge of manslaughter from prosecutors of the Lauderdale County District Attorney's Office during a hearing that took place in Wayne County Circuit Court. McNeil was sentenced to 20 years in prison but all of that time was suspended. McNeil was ordered released on five years probation. He had been held for two and a half years awaiting his trial before being released in July 2007. He has been out on probation since.

With this latest charge, a misdemeanor, McNeil's parole status could be revoked. A hearing will be held to determine what action is to be taken.

McNeil is currently being held in the Lauderdale County Detention Facility on a hold order from the Mississippi Department of Corrections.