By David Owens, newseditor@laurelleadercall.com
The Motorhome Diaries trio of Jason Talley, Pete Eyre and Adam Mueller received a guilty verdict from Jones County Justice Court Judge David Lyons Thursday.
Talley, Eyre and Mueller were arrested May 14 by the Jones County Sheriff’s Department on I-59 North as they were returning from New Orleans. The trio’s verdict was delayed September 10 after Lyons said he needed time to review a video tape of the arrest and other documents related to the case.
By phone Thursday, Lyons said the trio were found guilty on their respective charges — Talley, resisting arrest; Eyre, possession of beer in a dry county; and Mueller, disorderly conduct.
“They put up a cash bond, which will be forfeited to cover their fines,” Lyons said. “The balance will be refunded to them.”
According to Motorhome Diaries Website, Talley paid $365, Eyre paid $200 and Mueller paid $215 in charges and fines after their arrest. Eyre noted a “$25 key charge” was added to each person’s fee.
In a e-mail to the Laurel Leader-Call, Eyre said the trio and their respective attorneys had yet to receive official word from the Jones County Justice Court, declined comment until they feel the matter is resolved.
“We’ll touch base with you when/if we do hear something to keep you abreast of where we’ll go from here,” Eyre wrote.
The Motorhome Diaries trio was originally stopped in their RV by deputy James Atkins when he couldn’t identify the temporary tag on the vehicle.
Mueller, who is videotaping the trio’s cross-country journey, was admonished for using his video camera and eventually arrested after other officers arrived.
Talley, who Atkins said refused to produce ID, was pepper sprayed, restrained and arrested after police said he took an “aggressive stance.” Eyre was charged on a unopened beer can found in the RV’s refrigerator.
However, the Motorhome Diaries trio has accused the Jones County Sheriff’s Department of an unlawful stop and abuse.
