Circuit Court Judge William C. Wellons reversed a ruling on Thursday and ordered that triple murder suspect James Bryant Hudson is entitled to a court-appointed public defender.
Two days earlier, Wellons ruled that the 55-year-old man accused in the July 3 shotgun slayings of Walter Stanley Cole, his brother Thomas Wesley Cole and Wesley Cole's wife, Patsy, did not qualify for a public defender after listing assets valued at $60,400.
Bryant Hudson said that he had no source of income but did say that his wife was employed and had a weekly income.
The Hudsons own two parcels of real estate that includes the home that he and his wife live in. The two parcels adjoin property owned by the heirs of Stanley Cole.
Both parcels name the Hudson couple as tenants by the entireties with right of survivorship.
Diane Hudson's attorney, Alan T. Gravitt of Halifax, submitted a letter to Judge Wellons stating that Dianne Hudson "does not believe that she is financially able to hire an attorney for her husband in a capital murder case."
Gravitt went on to say, "because of her own uncertain financial future, Mrs. Hudson is not going to use her individual property or any survivorship property to pay or to secure payment of Mr. Hudson's attorney's fees."
According to Gravitt, the property that Diane Hudson and Bryant Hudson own jointly, is exempt from the claims of Mr. Hudson's individual creditors and is not available to him without her signature.
Gravitt said that Diane Hudson is not aware of any other property owned by her husband that would "come close" to paying a private attorney's fee in a capital case.
James Bryant Hudson is scheduled to appear in Halifax County General District Court on September 9 for a preliminary hearing.
He is being held without bond in the Adult Detention Center in Halifax.

By KEITH STRANGE
Scott Morris, 30, the current director of economic development for Rome, Ga., signed a contract Friday to become the new director of the Halifax County Industrial Development Authority.
Morris will renew his $80,000 base contract yearly, according to a member of the IDA board.
"He will also receive an incentive package based on his performance," Carlyle Ramsey said yesterday.
The incentive package will be based on three factors, Ramsey added.
"It will be based on Morris' creation of new jobs for the area, the expansion of existing industries and the leadership he brings to the larger economic development arena," Ramsey added.
Economic planners claim that 60 percent of jobs created come from existing industries, according to Ramsey.
The Friday announcement was the result of a nationwide search involving the IDA board and a special search committee.
The combined search committee and IDA board interviewed a number of candidates before selecting Morris.
IDA Board Vice-Chair Jack Dunavant noted that Morris "was very bright, articulate and knowledgeable about all aspects of economic development," Dunavant said.
Other members of the selection committee agreed.
"I believe Scott Morris possesses the attributes, experience and enthusiasm to be successful in creating and retaining jobs for the people of Halifax County," said Ronnie Vaughan, member of the executive search committee.
Morris, who will be succeeding retired executive director Bill Confroy, will begin full-time duties August 5.
Prior to serving as director of economic development in Georgia, Morris served as director of membership and finance at the Greater Rome Chamber of Commerce.
During his tenure in Rome, Morris was involved in attracting Pirelli Tire's North American headquarters to the area, as well as attracting Suzuki's first U.S. manufacturing plant to Georgia.
He also has experience in the private sector with Mohawk Industries.
Morris received his B.B.A. and Finance degree from the University of Georgia, where he attended the Terry College of Business, and is a 2001 graduate of the University of Georgia's Institute for Organization Management.
"I appreciate the faith of the folks on the IDA Board as well as the board of supervisors and the citizens of Halifax County have in me," Morris said.
"This is a serious job and I think we have a serious opportunity before us to work with the citizens of Halifax County to better their lives," he added.
Morris said he is used to small town life.
"I come from a town with a lot of similarities," he said. "It's not on the interstate, has a traditional textile base, and similar proximity to larger cities."
Morris said he was looking for a change and new career challenges.
"I've been in Rome for a long time, and I've been very successful.
"I was looking for a place where I could branch out on my own and continue to develop my professional career, and at the same time find a place where I feel at home and where the people want to work together," he said.
He said he found that in Halifax County.
"The times I've been here, I've found that the board members and the community wants to work together to develop the region, and I think I can continue to develop my career and benefit the community as well," Morris said.
Members of the search committee say they are pleased with the results of the search.
"John Lovorn did an excellent job," Dunavant said earlier.
"We had four candidates who were top notch," he added. "It was difficult to make a decision."
David Martin, chairman of the Halifax County Board of Supervisors, also expressed his support for Morris.
"Scott brings a proven track record and a refreshingly creative and passionate approach to economic development," Martin said.
Committee members said they are confident they have made the right decision.
"This is the guy we want," one observed.
Dunavant said that there was a wide range in the age and experience level of the final four candidates.
"He will be a welcome addition to Halifax County.
"He has a winning personality that I think will open some doors that would otherwise not be opened," he observed.
Dunavant said committee members realized the importance of the position.
"He has some tough shoes to fill, and he has to perform," he said.

Thousands were delighted Friday to welcome cooler temperatures as the 22nd Annual Virginia Cantaloupe Festival got underway at the Halifax County Fairgrounds.
"It doesn't get any better than this," said one man as he looked up at the clear sky and then continued munching his cantaloupe.
Temperatures hovered in the low 80s as nearly 3,000 festival-goers turned out to eat locally-grown cantaloupe and listen to the sounds of Easy Street, Pizazz and General Johnson and the Chairmen of the Board.
Easy Street opened the musical entertainment with country and rock and roll favorites.
"We're out here to make sure everyone has a good time," the singer said from the stage.
They were followed by Pizazz, a Raleigh-based group who thrilled the crowd with their beach and shag dance tunes.
General Johnson and the Chairmen of the Board closed the show, performing in the fairground's ampitheater.
There wasn't a clear spot on the dance floor as hundreds crowded around the band to dance to beach favorites.
Sheila Bradley, one of the festival's organizers, said the this year's festival was close to being a sellout.
"This is our third year at the fairgrounds, and we usually average anywhere from 1,500 to 3,000 people," Bradley said.
In addition to fresh cantaloupe, the festival boasted tomato biscuits, barbecue sandwiches, corn on the cob and Brunswick stew.
But the real hit with the crowd was the freshly-cut cantaloupe halves served with vanilla ice cream in the center.
The locally-grown melons were provided by Reese Farms, Tommy Hudson, Hilton Hudson, Anthony Powell, Cole Berry Farm and Owen Barksdale.
Several local politicians were on hand at the festival, passing out campaign literature and chatting with members of the crowd.
Del. Clarke Hogan, R-South Boston, said he looked forward to the festival every year.
"I'm just here to have fun," the delegate said. "It gives me a chance to see people I haven't seen in a while."
Hogan agreed that the weather couldn't have gotten any better for the event.
"I've been coming to these festivals for several years now, and I can't remember such perfect weather."
Rep. Virgil Goode, R-5th, said he was there to stay in touch with his constituents.
"I try to come to the festival every year," Goode said as he munched on a slice of cantaloupe.
The festival used to be held on a Wednesday, but was changed to Friday several years ago.
Gail Epps, publicity chairman of the festival, said the change has allowed more people to attend the yearly event.
"The change to Fridays has helped our attendance a lot," Epps said.
"People can get off work and come out and have a great time."

A North Carolina man was arrested Thursday afternoon following a robbery at Bowes and Bowes store in the Alton Community.
Capt. Larry Fears of the Halifax County Sheriff's Office said that James W. Morgan, 27, of Hurdle Mills, N.C., was arrested by Person County Sheriff's Deputies as he fled the scene.
"The call came in to our dispatch center at 12:01 p.m.," Fears said.
Fears said that a white male operating a small car with North Carolina plates entered the store on Mt. Carmel Road and asked the cashier for change for $1.
"When the cashier opened the cash drawer, the suspect reached over the counter and took $20 bills out of the register," Fears said.
The suspect then fled the store in his vehicle and headed for the North Carolina line on Mt. Carmel Road, according to Fears.
"Our dispatcher then issued a 'be on the lookout' for the suspect to surrounding police agencies," the captain said.
Fears said that approximately 15 minutes later, Morgan's vehicle was seen on Highway 57 in Person County by a Person County Sheriff's Deputy.
"Following a chase, the suspect wrecked and was arrested and taken into custody," Fears said.
Morgan was transported to Person County Jail in Roxboro, where he is being held on charges in North Carolina.
"The investigation is continuing, and more charges against Morgan are pending," Fears said.
Deputy D.H. Barksdale is investigating the robbery.

Gracie Tucker Roberts

Gracie Tucker Roberts, 67, of 2053 Sutphin Road, South Boston, died July 12 at her home.
She was born in Halifax County on November 19, 1934, the daughter of the late Alex Tucker and Mary Carrington Tucker and was married to the Rev. Harold S. Roberts Sr. Mrs. Roberts was a member of Trinity Baptist Church and was a retired employee of Halifax Regional Hospital.
Survivors include her husband; one daughter, Debbie Allen of Portsmouth; five sons, Harold Roberts Jr., Jerry Roberts, Douglas Roberts and Curtis Roberts, all of South Boston, and Craig Roberts of Oxford, NC; nine grandchildren; five sisters, Christine Claiborne and Nancy Walker, both of NY, Mary Tucker of MD, Frances Vass of South Boston and Lucille Tuck of Virgilina; two brothers, Alex Tucker and Samuel Tucker, both of South Boston.

Funeral services for Mrs. Roberts will be held today, July 15 at 1 p.m. at Trinity Baptist Church with the Rev. Dr. James M. Crowder officiating. Burial will follow in Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Norman Giles Adcock

A funeral service for Norman Giles Adcock, 92, of South Boston, will be held Thursday at 2 p.m. at Powell Funeral Home Chapel.
The Rev. Bill Leonard will conduct the service.
Burial will be in Halifax Memorial Gardens.
Mr. Adcock died Sunday at The Woodview Nursing Home.
An Oxford, North Carolina, native, he was born on June 16, 1910, a son of Robert W. Adcock and Mrs. Betsy Murray Adcock. He was married first to Gladys P. Adcock, then to Rosa Lacks Adcock.
He was a member of Grace Baptist Church.
Mr. Adcock is survived by five sons: Giles H. Adcock of Fort Walton Beach, Florida; Robert H. Adcock of Danville; Wayne Adcock of Halifax; William Adcock of Hurt; George Adcock of South Boston; and one daughter, Susan Ann Adcock of South Boston.
Other survivors include two brothers, Rowland Adcock of Farmville and James Adcock of Oxford, North Carolina. Ten grandchildren, eleven great-grandchildren and 15 stepchildren also survive.
The family will receive friends at Powell Funeral Home on Wednesday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. and at other times at the home of Wayne and Debra Adcock at 6147 Halifax Road in Halifax.
For memorials, please consider a charity of your choice.

William Preston Marshall

A funeral service for William Preston Marshall, 43, of Union Church Road, will be held today at 4 p.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church.
The Rev. Andrew Bawtree will conduct the service.
The family will receive friends at Trinity Episcopal Church following the service.
Burial will take place Tuesday at Mount Pleasant Baptist Church in Rutherford County, North Carolina.
Mr. Marshall died Saturday at Halifax Regional Hospital.
He was born in Rutherford County, N.C., on March 10, 1959, a son of William Rex Marshall and Mrs. Margaret Hamrick Marshall. He was married to Lynn Moore Marshall.
Mr. Marshall was a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, the Union Ruritan Club, the Jaycees of Forest City, N.C., and attended the Leadership Class of Halifax.
He is survived by his wife, Lynn Marshall, two daughters, Brittnay and Amy Marshall, and one son, Brandon Marshall, all of South Boston.
Other survivors include his parents, Rex and Margaret Marshall, one brother, Roger Marshall, and one sister, Ann Marshall, all of Forest City, N.C.
Other survivors include three nephews and several aunts and uncles.
In lieu of flowers, the family ask that those wishing to give memorials consider Hunters for the Hungry, P.O. Box 304, Big Island, Va. 24526 or The Union Ruritan Club Scholarship Fund.