Miss. Supreme Court

Mississippi Supreme Court cases

Eacholes v. State of Mississippi Full Name: 

Tyrell Vashion Eacholes a/k/a Tyrell Eacholes a/k/a Tyrell Vashion Eachols a/k/a Tiny v. State of Mississippi Citation: 2025-KA-00081-SCT Date: July 23, 2026 

Justia Opinion Summary Police officers arrested an individual after learning that two arrest warrants had been issued for him—one for shooting into a dwelling and another for possession of a firearm as a convicted felon. Upon arrest, officers conducted a pat-down search and discovered over two grams of methamphetamine in his pocket. Laboratory analysis confirmed the substance was methamphetamine. The defendant was indicted as a habitual offender for possession of methamphetamine.

The Calhoun County Circuit Court presided over the jury trial in December 2024. Both officers involved testified about the circumstances of the arrest and the discovery of the drugs. The defense objected to the introduction of the warrant and later moved to dismiss the charge, arguing the defendant was not afforded a preliminary hearing after requesting one in justice court. The circuit court found no evidence of such a request and denied the motion. The defense also moved to suppress the warrants for lack of probable cause, but the court determined there was a substantial basis for probable cause, relying on the indictment and the justice court judge’s issuance of the warrants. The jury convicted the defendant of possession of methamphetamine and found him to be a habitual offender, resulting in an eight-year sentence. Post-trial motions for judgment notwithstanding the verdict or a new trial were denied.

The Supreme Court of Mississippi reviewed the appeal. Applying a mixed standard of review to the Fourth Amendment issues, the Court held that the circuit court had a substantial basis for determining probable cause existed when the warrants were issued. It found the warrants met procedural requirements and that officers verified their existence. The conviction and sentence were affirmed.

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