Voter Intimidation in Booneville, MS Beer Defeat?

BOONEVILLE – A pastor’s letter opposing beer sales in Booneville has raised concerns because he also is a member of the state Highway Patrol.

Pastor Ray Hall of East Marietta Baptist Church, who works as the public affairs officer for the Highway Patrol Troop F in New Albany, sent the letter on church stationery before Tuesday’s vote in Booneville on legalizing beer and wine sales in the city.

The group’s organizer, Gary Walker, said that because of Hall’s state employment, the letter could intimidate some who wish to sign the petition again.

In his letter, Hall said, “As I look over the names of those that signed a petition to allow for a vote of beer sales in Booneville, I recognized your name.”

The letter was addressed to individual petition-signers, Walker said, and sent to them at their home addresses.

Hall returned a call to the Daily Journal on Friday morning, but when asked if he also is Pastor Hall of East Marietta, he seemed to have difficulty hearing the question and after a period hung up without responding.

Troop F Commander Capt. Mickey Baker said that what Hall does on his days off is his business as long as it’s not illegal and doesn’t reflect negatively on the Highway Patrol.

“He’s acting on his own accord, and he’s also a preacher at a church in Prentiss County,” Baker said. “That’s all I’ve got to say about the matter.”

But according to Walker, “People said they felt intimidated. They wondered how Trooper Hall would treat them if he had to stop them out on the highway.”

Walker said several people had called Hall’s commanding officer to lodge complaints, and he said they were told Hall was not in a trooper position where he would be patrolling state roadways.

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