Jones County lawyer’s trial heard here

A Jones County man was convicted on two counts of sexual battery in a three-day trial last week in Neshoba County.

The man, Brandon Brooks, 46, of Moselle, was sentenced to 28 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. 

The trial began with jury selection on Monday, Sept. 16, and ran through Wednesday. 

The victim, now 19 years old, was abused by Brooks between the ages of seven and 13, Brad Grunig, an investigator with the Jones County District Attorney’s office, said. He said Brooks was “in a position of authority” over the victim.

Brooks was indicted on Oct. 2, 2023, on both counts of sexual battery.

He said Brooks’ defense requested that the change of venue because he was known in Jones County.

Brooks was an attorney practicing in Hattiesburg at the time of his arrest. Moselle is an unincorporated community near Laurel.

The Jones County District Attorney’s office said they were treated with respect while trying the sexual battery case that sent an attorney to prison for 28 years, Assistant Jones County District Attorney Kristen Martin said.

“Everyone was so nice and helpful and accommodating,” Martin said.

She specifically thanked the Neshoba County Sheriff’s Office, District Attorney Steven Kilgore’s office, and the Circuit Clerk’s ofice for their help.

Martin said this is her second trial that has been moved to Neshoba County and that other places she has had cases moved to have not been as accommodating.

“Other places are not the same,” she said.