Mississippi

3 former Mississippi police officers indicted for murder, manslaughter in death of Black man in custody

Published

2 years ago

May 25, 2023

3 former Mississippi police officers indicted for murder, manslaughter in death of Black man in custody

Three former Jackson police officers were indicted this week on murder and manslaughter charges in connection with the death of Keith Murriel, a 41-year-old Black man who was pinned down and repeatedly shocked with stun guns during a New Year’s Eve arrest. A Mississippi grand jury indicted two of the ex-officers on murder charges and the third on a manslaughter charge.

Officials in the state capital of Jackson released body camera footage Wednesday that showed then-officers Avery Willis, Kenya McCarty and James Land struggling to handcuff Keith Murriel as he was apparently stunned numerous times over 10 minutes.

The officers had tackled Murriel while arresting him for allegedly trespassing at a hotel shortly before midnight on Dec. 31, 2022, authorities said.

McCarty and Willis have been charged with second-degree murder, and Land with manslaughter, court records showed. All three were placed on administrative leave after the incident. McCarty was fired in February, and Willis and Land in April. Willis and Land were fired for a policy violation, along with Cazinova Reed, CBS affiliate WJTV reported.

Murriel’s family filed a lawsuit earlier this year against all four former police officers, alleging they used excessive force and failed to render medical aid during the arrest that led to his death. That case was turned over to the Hinds County District Attorney’s Office at the end of April, according to WJTV, citing the Mississippi Department of Public Safety.

Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones said this week that Land and McCarty have both been released from custody, on a $75,000 bond and a $150,000 bond, respectively, according to WJTV. Jones reportedly told the news station on Wednesday that Wills had not yet been arrested, nor had his bond been set.

Officials in the state capital of Jackson released body camera footage that showed then-officers Avery Willis, Kenya McCarty and James Land struggling to handcuff Keith Murriel as he was apparently stunned numerous times over 10 minutes.

WJTV

McCarty and Willis are Black, and Land is white, according to Melissa Faith Payne, a city spokesperson. Payne said she did not know whether any of the officers had attorneys as of Wednesday who could comment for them.

The video shows McCarty kneeling with her knee on Murriel’s back before Murriel flips around, and the three officers attempt to lock his hands behind his back. The 41-year-old man is seen pleading with officers to stop shocking him with stun guns.

After handcuffing Murriel, officers then laid the man horizontally on the back seat of a patrol vehicle, the video showed. He died after being taken into custody.

Willis’ body camera footage showed him talking to another officer after the encounter.

“I hope (he) is asleep. Because if he’s asleep, it’ll be a good ride,” Willis said, using a racial slur to refer to Murriel. “It was funny seeing (his) feet in the air.”

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba said at Wednesday’s news conference that the city was now releasing body camera footage because a Mississippi Bureau of Investigation probe of the death had been completed. The officers — all ex-members of the Jackson Police Department, or JPD — were indicted on May 12.

“We believe we have seen actions that are excessive, disheartening and tragic,” Lumumba said. “And we believe that is not representative of the vision of public safety that not only this administration wants to put forward, but we believe the men and women of JPD want to put forward.”

The city released the footage less than one week after former Jackson Chief James Davis announced his retirement. After Murriel’s death, Davis initially said the man had a “medical emergency.” Lumumba said Davis’ departure was not related to the incident.

Acting Police Chief Joseph Wade pledged transparency in speaking with reporters at Wednesday’s appearance.

“I would ask the citizens of Jackson to continue to support the dedicated, hard-working men and women of the Jackson Police Department who put their lives on the line every single day,” he said. “We will continue to have accountability measures in place, not only from the bottom up but from the top down as we move forward.”

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Mississippi

Former Mississippi Medicaid director may soon lead the federal program

Published

13 minutes ago

January 16, 2025

Press Room

Former Mississippi Medicaid director may soon lead the federal program

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) – A Mississippian could soon take a top health-related spot in the Trump administration.

Drew Snyder left his post as Director of Mississippi’s Division of Medicaid at the end of October. Now, a Politico report indicates he may be waiting in the wings to assume the role of leading the federal program.

The news comes just as lawmakers are starting the new legislative session which leaders have said will include another attempt at extending Medicaid coverage to more Mississippians. Senator Brice Wiggins praised Snyder’s work at the state level.

“If he does get that position, I think it would be a boon for Mississippi,” noted Wiggins.

It’s been no secret that the next steps on Medicaid legislation this session are hinging on what the feds say under the new administration.

“All bets are off until we see which direction they want to go,” said Speaker Jason White ahead of the session.

The Governor and Speaker are praising Snyder but not going into any detail on whether they knew about the potential appointment. But leaders have all referenced in the last month that they’re starting conversations.

“I’m having the same conversations with people that will be in those positions to make sure that whatever we decide on will be approved at the national level,” said Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann in December. “And we’re getting some guidance on those.”

Wiggins was a conferee on last year’s bill that didn’t make it across the finish line. We asked how a Mississippian at the top of the federal program could impact this year’s efforts.

“I certainly think the amount of phone calls and the amount of persuasion would be lessened because he’s heard all of our arguments in the first place,” explained Wiggins. “He knows all the legislators. Knows all the statewide officials. I think none of that would come new to him. So, if we in the legislature can make that happen, you know that I would think that it would have some certainly smoother sailing.”

Snyder did not have a comment when we reached out Wednesday.

We received the following statements about the potential position for Snyder.

“Drew Snyder is sharp and, having served as Mississippi’s Director of Medicaid for nearly seven years, certainly understands the subject matter well. I am always proud of talented Mississippians who are earning opportunities on the federal or national level making our state look good.” – Speaker Jason White

“Drew Snyder is a professional. In my conversations with the incoming administration…I’ll just tell you that I don’t know what the President is going to do. The President will make this decision and certainly his picks to lead HHS. But they couldn’t find a more intellectual, smart, conservative leader of any agency including Medicaid and CMS than Drew Snyder.” – Governor Tate Reeves

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Mississippi

Stone Blanton, Mississippi State football starting linebacker, declares for 2025 NFL draft

Published

8 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Stone Blanton, Mississippi State football starting linebacker, declares for 2025 NFL draft

STARKVILLE — One of Mississippi State football’s top tacklers won’t return for the 2025 season.

Stone Blanton, the Bulldogs starting linebacker, declared for the NFL draft on Wednesday. He made the announcement with a post on social media.

“After much prayer and thoughtful consideration, I am humbled and excited to declare for the 2025 NFL draft,” he wrote. “This journey has been filled with unforgettable moments, lessons and blessings.”

Blanton was second on the team and tied for 10th nationally with 124 tackles this season. The junior had one year of eligibility remaining.

It’s the second significant roster move of the day for MSU after Georgia wide receiver Anthony Evans III announced his commitment in the transfer portal.

What Stone Blanton declaring for NFL draft means for Mississippi State football

Blanton, a Jackson native, transferred to MSU after two seasons at South Carolina. Although MSU struggled defensively, he was one of the few bright spots. He also had 3.5 tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery.

His departure leaves a hole in Mississippi State’s defense that doesn’t have an obvious replacement. Fellow linebacker Nic Mitchell is returning and so is sophomore Zakari Tillman, who showed flashes as a playmaker. Five linebackers have transferred out of MSU, but most of them were depth pieces. Two have transferred in, headlined by Tennessee’s Jalen Smith, an All-SEC freshman.

The Bulldogs signed four-star Winona linebacker Tyler Lockhart in the 2025 recruiting class.

Safety Isaac Smith, MSU’s leading tackler, is returning next season.

Feb. 7 is the deadline for players to opt out of the draft and return to college.

Sam Sklar is the Mississippi State beat reporter for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at ssklar@gannett.com and follow him on X @sklarsam_.

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Mississippi

Brutal low temps are coming to Mississippi. How cold will it get around the state?

Published

16 hours ago

January 15, 2025

Press Room

Brutal low temps are coming to Mississippi. How cold will it get around the state?

‘Some of this air is actually coming from all the way back to Siberia. You’re definitely going to get some very cold temperatures.’

A blast of cold air is moving into the U.S. and is forecast to reach down into Mississippi. All of the state will be affected and some areas will see temperatures plummet into the mid-teens.

“This is going to be a significant cold air outbreak,” said Eric Carpenter, senior meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Jackson. “It’s coming out of the Arctic regions.

“Some of this air is actually coming from all the way back to Siberia. You’re definitely going to get some very cold temperatures.”

The cause of it is a shift in the Arctic jet stream.

“The jet stream is allowing it to drop down into the U.S.,” Carpenter said. “The Arctic jet stream is a lot farther South than usual.”

Temperatures in much of the state are predicted to drop into the teens and even the Gulf Coast is expected to see below-freezing temperatures. And as cold as that seems, it may get colder than the current forecast.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if the forecast trended colder as we get closer,” Carpenter said. “So, I would continue to monitor the weather.”

Here are the expected temperatures across the state from Saturday, Jan. 18, through Friday, Jan. 24, according to AccuWeather as of 3 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 15.