EVICTION HAD BEEN SOUGHT AT SITE OF CHILD'S SHOOTING DEATH

MEMPHIS, Tenn.- Memphis authorities thought they had succeeded nearly two
years ago in forcing a grandmother convicted of crack cocaine charges out
of a rental house that last week was the scene of a drug-related shooting
that killed a young girl.

The June 13 shooting killed Jessica Borner, 3, who lived in the house with
her mother and grandmother, both of whom have drug records, and other
relatives.

Police say a gunman sprayed the house with rifle fire following a dispute
over a minor drug deal that broke out near the residence.

Eight other people besides Jessica were wounded but no one else was
critically hurt.

Authorities said they thought they had forced the eviction of the
grandmother, Helen Hobbs, 59, after she was charged in September 2000 with
possessing crack cocaine with the intent to sell it.

District Attorney General Bill Gibbons said his office relied on a state
law that allows eviction of drug suspects from rental property.

Gibbons said Tuesday that he was told by the owner of the house that Hobbs
had been evicted.

Hobbs either didn't move or was put out and then allowed to return, Gibbons
said.

Hobbs pleaded guilty to the drug charge in May and was placed on probation.