A Greenwood man has been charged with intimidating a witness in a felony child abuse case, according to Greenwood Police Chief Henry Purnell.
Dwayne Lamar Linwood, 24, 2602 Kay White Circle, remained in Leflore County Jail this morning.
Initially, Linwood was charged with felony child abuse on June 16, 2010. A Leflore County grand jury indicted him on that charge in August, the chief said.
Felony child abuse can include the intentional burning, torturing, whipping, striking or mutilation of a child in such a manner as to cause serious bodily harm.
Linwood was freed after his arrest by posting a $50,000 bond.
Trial for that case is set for Monday in Leflore County Circuit Court.
Under state law, if convicted of felony child abuse, Linwood could face a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison.
The intimidation charge stems from an incident on March 10, Purnell said.
On that date, Linwood blocked the complainant’s car in the drive-through at Burger King, 928 U.S. 82 West, and got into the complainant’s car, the chief said.
“He demanded that she come with him to his lawyer’s office in Indianola. He demanded she change her testimony,” Purnell said.
The complainant was able to escape from the car and seek refuge inside the restaurant in the presence of several witnesses, the chief said.
Linwood, if convicted of intimidating the witness, could face a maximum of two years in prison.
Purnell said if Linwood is indicted on the intimidation charge, a trial date will likely be several months away.
• Contact Bob Darden at bdarden@gwcommonwealth.com.
