[MS] KILLING ANGIE - Ex-Major McClendon gets to plea down

...The 55-year-old Gautier resident was first charged with murder but pleaded guilty Monday to a reduced charge of manslaughter before Harrison County Circuit Judge Roger Clark, who was appointed to preside over the case....

Previous blog entries:

• [MS] Newly retired Major McClendon's defense for killing Angelia? - ...Jackson County Jail Warden Major Randy R. McClendon, who retired as warden of Jackson County Adult Detention Center in June - TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIS WIFE ANGELIA - will claim "nonviolent abuse" as his defense for MURDERING her...

• [MS] Angie's people - ...I AM ANGIE'S AUNT. IT IS REALLY HARD ON US BUT WE ARE GOING TO BE ANGIE'S VOICE. RANDY TOOK HERS BUT WE WILL FIGHT UNTIL THE END OF TIME. SHE WOULD FOR US.

Ex-warden pleads guilty in wife's death
Shooting is manslaughter instead of murder
By MARGARET BAKER - mbbaker@sunherald.com
Thursday, Oct. 02, 2008
PASCAGOULA -- Former Jackson County jail warden Randy McClendon has pleaded guilty to the Oct. 12, 2006, shooting death of his wife, Angelia McClendon, 41. The 55-year-old Gautier resident was first charged with murder but pleaded guilty Monday to a reduced charge of manslaughter before Harrison County Circuit Judge Roger Clark, who was appointed to preside over the case. In exchange for the plea, Special Prosecutor Lee Young recommended that McClendon serve 20 years in prison and pay a $5,000 fine. McClendon is scheduled to return to court for sentencing on Oct. 21. Clark has allowed McClendon to remain free on a $100,000 bond... McClendon was 53 when he shot and killed his wife, a longtime Jackson County court reporter, at their home on Cockleshell Road... McClendon's attorney, Calvin Taylor, has said that his client had to call police in the past because of domestic problems. Taylor at the time even suggested that McClendon had been the victim of spousal abuse, something the victim's family has denied. The shooting occurred after McClendon retired as warden in June 2006. McClendon said he was retiring so he could spend more time with his wife and their dog, Donnie. Since his release on bond, McClendon has been allowed to go to Arkansas to stay with family until his court appearances. [Full article here]

2006:
Murdered Woman's Family Says Suspect Already Getting Special Treatment
WLOX, MS
Oct 17, 2006
Family members of a murdered Gautier woman say they already see signs of special treatment for the man accused of killing her... "He came in a nice fresh haircut, freshly groomed, great outfit, dressed to the hilt, casually speaking. We expected him to be in a jail suit. He did not have handcuffs on, he didn't have shackles on. He committed murder. He took a life. He took a life and he walks in and is treated with more respect than everyone else in the room"... "If this trial takes place here, she will not get the justice she deserves. It needs to be moved out of this county or she will not get justice. He will go free. He's already free. Who gets to commit murder and travel out of state? He gets to go to Arkansas."...

EXCERPTS FROM THE COMMENTS SECTION OF TOPIX:

JANICE MARTIN
Oct 18, 2007
...I AM ANGIE'S AUNT IT IS REALLY HARD ON US BUT WE ARE GOING TO BE ANGIE'S VOICE. RANDY TOOK HERS BUT WE WILL FIGHT UNTIL THE END OF TIME. SHE WOULD FOR US. JANICE

JANICE MARTIN

Oct 18, 2007
RANDY MCCLENDON KILLED ANGIE COLD HEARTED AND COLD BLOODED. HE HAS ADMITTED TO IT LAST WEEK TO HER MOTHER FOR THE SECOND TIME IN FRONT OF MY DAUGHTER. HIS MOTHER WAS KILLED WITH HIS GUN WHEN HE WAS IN HIGH SCHOOL. THERE WAS ANOTHER CASE OF A GIRL THE CAR FIT RANDY'S CAR DESCRIPTION STILL UNSOLVED, ANOTHER GIRL HE SHUT UP IN A ROOM AND TOLD HER HE WOULD KILL HER. LOTS OF UNSOLVED CASES IN JACKSON COUNTY. JACKSON COUNTY SHERIFF DEPT. DEPUTY GOOD COVER UP. BY THE WAY ANGIE WAS UNDER AGE WHEN HE PICKED HER OUT. AGAINST THE LAW I THINK SO. TOOK HER TO PARTIES. A MAN WROTE ABOUT IT IN A LOCAL NEWSPAPER, BUT OH HE'S DEAD TOO NOW. SOUNDS LIKE A SERIAL KILLER ON THE LOOSE. KEEP YOUR YOUNG CHILDREN AWAY TOO CHILD PORN WAS A SECRET ANGIE FOUND OUT ABOUT. SEEMS FUNNY HE DECIDED TO KILL HER. HE GOT OUT ON BOND AND WENT TO ARKANSAS, BUT THAT FAMILY DIDN'T WANT HIM THERE AFTERALL. SENT HIM BACK TO COCKLESHELL LN. POOR RANDY SOUNDS LIKE SUICIDE WOULD BE A GOOD IDEA FOR HIM OR LETHAL INJECTION.
ANGIE'S AUNT JANICE
brother
Waynesboro, GA
Jan 13, 2008
this is angies brother. i appreciate the people that has stood by and up for my sister. A LOT of people don't understand that randy is very, very, very controlling. you want to talk about verbal abuse. he'd belittle angie so bad she used cry and leave. so i don't blame her for wanting to leave him...

Brother
Waynesboro, GA
Jan 14, 2008
Major R. R. Mcclendon used to be like a father to me but, not anymore. I always felt like there was a darkside to him. His mother supposedly shot herself in the head with his revolver when he was in his early 20's. What a suprise. But yet it is not being investigated.I will point that out in court. Good night.
her mother
Feb 8, 2008
I miss my daughter and my sister, major mcclendon always said we seemed like sisters instead of Mother and Daughter. I have had to move away from Jackson County, I have had to at 62, start over with my life, in a twinkling of an eye, my life has been changed, so has my son's, and her honary sisters Kim and Lisa, major mcclendon was the only father he knew when he was growing up. I have been in the hospital because I can not cope with this tragedy and go on with my life, until the trial is over. It has been continued again, another let down. he is walking around free, and my daughter is dead. at least I know she is in HEAVEN, I was there when she was saved. We all make mistakes, I know I have made more than my share. Thank you'all so much for the nice words you said about her, please continue to pray for us.\

Her brother
Augusta, GA
Feb 8, 2008
Be thankful for who you have and what you have. Never take things for granted, cause it can be taken from you in a blink of an eye. GOD BLESS.

Her brother
Augusta, GA
Saturday Feb 16
I thank GOD every day for the things that I have and the family I've got left. Most important my mom is doing well and is finally coping with this tradegy that we,ve all been going through.

Her brother
Augusta, GA
Saturday Mar 1
I'm off to spend the day the day with my family. Days like this are good for me, but is also sad because I think about my sister. Thanks to everyone that has supported my sister.

FROM ANGIE'S DEATH NOTICE:

Angie Bailey McClendon - of Gautier, MS, passed away October 12, 2006. She was born June 21, but would let everyone guess what year. She was a court reporter for over sixteen years in the Jackson County court system. She loved people and touched the lives of many people. She leaves loving memories to her parents Walter K. Bailey and Joy Bailey; her brother and best friend Jason Bailey... her grandmother Syble Johnson; sisters of the heart Lisa Wallace and Kimberly Starks Dudenbostel; her husband Randy McClendon; and dog Donni who she loved like a son . She will be missed by many other friends and family whose lives were greatly touched by her. She is reunited with her brother Ken Bailey III; and her grandfather that she adored Ben Pittman Johnson...