Bank of Holly Springs

Third suspect arrested in murder

A third suspect has been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting death of Martin Luther Saulsberry, according to Sheriff Kenny Dickerson.

He said a joint investigation with the Shelby County Tennessee Sheriff's Department gang unit led to the identity of a third suspect in Saulsberry's death November 21 at his home in the 5700 block of Hernando Road.

Saulsberry, 50, was found on the floor of his bedroom with multiple gunshot wounds. He died after being transported to the Regional One Medical Center (the Med) in Memphis, Tenn.

Vaddrick Hatchet, 23, of the 4200 block of Park Forest in Memphis, was taken into custody in Memphis December 16, said Maj. Kelly McMillen, investigator with the sheriff's department. Hatchet was identified as a suspect and later returned to the Marshall County jail where he made an initial appearance in justice court before judge Kathy Brittenum.

Hatchet is charged with capital murder and bond was set at $1.5 million, McMillen said.

Investigators are also working with the Gulf Coast Fugitive Task Force to arrest a fourth suspect in the death of Saulsberry, McMillen said.

Shell casings from a 223 shotgun and 9 mm assault rifle were recovered from Saulsberry's residence and the rifle and shotgun were found in a wooded area near the residence.

Previously arrested and charged with capital murder in the case, according to McMillen, were Delvin Jamal Alison, 23, of the 6700 block of Hernando Road and nephew of Saulsberry, and Eddie Lee Duncan, 52, of the 220 block of Sigman Street, Byhalia. Tampering with evidence

Dickerson said Randy Ellis Smith, 55, of the 1400 block of Sycamore Road, Collierville, Tenn., was arrested at his residence December 15 by the Shelby County Gang Unit and taken to 201 Poplar in Memphis.

Smith was transferred to Marshall County December 16, where he is charged with tampering with evidence in connection with the death of Sarah Vinick of Collierville, according to Sheriff Dickerson.

Vinick's body was found by a hunter below the North Red Banks Road bridge in the Coldwater Bottom December 24, 2019, he said.

An autopsy at the Mississippi Medical Examiner's Office determined the cause of Vinick's death was a drug overdose, McMillen said.

Smith is charged with placing Vinick's body (evidence) at the bridge, he said.

Smith was released on $15,000 bond from the Marshall County jail, McMillen said.

Reminder Sheriff Dickerson reminds the public to take pictures of property that can be seen from the roadway and record the serial numbers in case items are stolen and later recovered by authorities. When stolen property is recovered the sheriff returns the property to their owners if the owner can identify the items. This is the time of year when four wheelers, side by sides, trailers and other vehicles are easy targets for thieves, he said.

Holly Springs South Reporter

P.O. Box 278
Holly Springs, MS 38635
PH: (662) 252-4261
FAX: (662) 252-3388
www.southreporter.com