Mississippi
MS inmate Richard Jordan denied relief in execution drug appeal day before execution set
Executions in Mississippi: What to know
A look at the process of determining when and how a prisoner on death row in Mississippi should be executed.
Mississippi prisoner Richard Gerald Jordan was dealt another blow in his last-minute effort to stop his execution, set for Wednesday, June 25.
On Tuesday afternoon, June 24, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate’s ruling on Jordan’s petition for a preliminary injunction to protest the state’s three-drug protocol for lethal injection executions.
Jordan was convicted in 1977 for the 1976 kidnapping and murder of Edwina Marter.
At 79, Jordan is the oldest and longest-serving prisoner on Mississippi’s death row.
The appellate judges said in their opinion that Jordan did not meet his burden of proof that he would be subject to needless pain and suffering after the administration of the first drug, midazolam, a sedative.
“The court found that Jordan offered no evidence that the two prisoners recently executed under this protocol suffered any pain,” the Fifth Circuit court wrote in its opinion.
The court referred to the Mississippi executions of David Cox in 2021 and Thomas Loden in 2022.
The Fifth Circuit judges also said at this point, the execution would be the only just conclusion to the case.
“Jordan has enjoyed repeated review of his claims in the Mississippi courts, the district court, this court, and the Supreme Court — for nearly 50 years,” the court said, quoting from a 1998 California case, Calderon v. Thompson. “At this point, ‘finality acquires an added moral dimension. Only with an assurance of real finality can the State execute its moral judgment in a case.
“Only with real finality can the victims of crime move forward knowing the moral judgment will be carried out.’”
Also on Tuesday, Gov. Tate Reeves denied clemency to Jordan.
“The governor has reviewed the clemency petition and met with his counsel to discuss the request and the facts of this case,” Reeves’ Deputy Chief of Staff Cory Custer said in a statement. “By his own admission, Richard Jordan is guilty of kidnapping for ransom Mrs. Edwina Marter at gunpoint from her home where her three-year-old son was sleeping, forcing her to drive into the Desoto National Forest and shooting her in the back of the head.
“Following this premeditated and heinous act, Mr. Jordan demanded and was paid a $25,000 ransom prior to being apprehended by law enforcement. He has been convicted by multiple juries of capital murder and sentenced to death. His most recent round of appeals and stay motions have been considered and rejected by the United States Supreme Court, the Mississippi Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit and the Unted States District Court.
“At this time, all necessary procedures are being followed with the anticipation that the execution will proceed as scheduled.”
Earlier Tuesday, Amnesty International sent a statement to media outlets, asking Reeves to grant Jordan’s request for clemency.
“Governor Tate Reeves is the only person with the power to spare Jordan’s life,” Amnesty International USA’s Deputy Director of Research Justin Mazzola said in the statement. “He must use this power to halt this execution, commute Richard Jordan’s sentence and work towards ending the death penalty in Mississippi more broadly.
“Richard Jordan’s death sentence has been reversed three times for constitutional errors, as well as due to Jordan’s good behavior and positive influence in prison, his remorse about the crime and his military service in Vietnam. However, there is strong evidence that his eventual, fourth death sentence was driven by unconstitutional statements made at trial by a vindictive prosecutor.
“Regardless of the specifics of Richard Jordan’s case, the death penalty is wrong in all cases because it violates the right to life and is the ultimate cruel, inhuman and degrading punishment. Governor Reeves must act to stop this execution.”
Jordan has one option left in an emergency stay of execution filed with the U.S. Supreme Court on Friday.
Lici Beveridge is a reporter for the Hattiesburg American and Clarion Ledger. Contact her at lbeveridge@gannett.com. Follow her on X @licibev or Facebook at facebook.com/licibeveridge.
Eight Mississippi public schools are being recognized for their support of military families and children of those who serve in the U.S. armed forces.
The Mississippi Department of Education acknowledged the following educational facilities as new Military Star Schools for 2026-28:
- Hattiesburg High School
- Callaway High School
- Jim Hill High School
- Baxterville School
- Lumberton Elementary
- Sumrall High School
- New Hope Lower Elementary
- Ocean Springs High School
According to the department, Military Star Schools must meet specific requirements that address the unique needs of military students and families. These include appointing a dedicated school liaison for military families, providing student-led transition services and peer support, ensuring professional development for staff to respond to the needs of military students and families, and publicly recognizing service members and their families.
Gov. Tate Reeves established the Military Star School program in February 2022, making Mississippi one of 31 states at that time with a formal program to recognize schools that support military families. In 2025, 18 schools earned the designation for 2025-27.
The Military Star School program is designed to help schools respond to the educational and social-emotional challenges military-connected children face during their transition to a new school and keep them on track to be college, workforce and life-ready. “Military-connected” refers to children of service members on active duty and in the National Guard and Reserves.
The Military Star School designation remains in effect for two years. Schools can reapply to maintain the designation. New schools can apply to receive the designation between Dec. 1, 2026, and Feb. 15, 2027. There are now 103 Military Star Schools in Mississippi. The full list can be found here.
East Nashville defensive back Ke’Vontae Pitts committed to Mississippi State football after his official visit on June 14, he announced on X.
Pitts, a 6-foot, 175-pound junior, picked the Bulldogs over offers that included Memphis, Arkansas State, East Carolina, Charlotte and Austin Peay.
It was a swift recruitment from Mississippi State coach Jeff Lebby’s staff, which had just offered Pitts on June 9.
Pitts does not have a ranking with 247Sports but has 12 offers from FBS and FCS programs.
Pitts intercepted four passes in 2025 while helping East Nashville reach the TSSAA football Class 2A state quarterfinals. He also had 60 tackles and three punt returns for touchdowns.
He was scheduled to take an official visit to Memphis on June 19.
Tyler Palmateer covers high school sports for The Tennessean. Have a story idea for Tyler? Reach him at tpalmateer@tennessean.com and on the X platform, @tpalmateer83.
He also contributes to The Tennessean’s high school sports newsletter, The Bootleg. Subscribe to The Bootleg here.
Odds of winning the Powerball and Mega Millions are NOT in your favor
Odds of hitting the jackpot in Mega Millions or Powerball are around 1-in-292 million. Here are things that you’re more likely to land than big bucks.
The Mississippi Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at June 14, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Cash 3 numbers from June 14 drawing
Midday: 1-1-2, FB: 9
Evening: 8-9-8, FB: 0
Check Cash 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash 4 numbers from June 14 drawing
Midday: 7-6-6-0, FB: 9
Evening: 1-5-0-7, FB: 0
Check Cash 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Cash Pop numbers from June 14 drawing
Midday: 04
Evening: 04
Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Story continues below gallery.
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
Winnings of $599 or less can be claimed at any authorized Mississippi Lottery retailer.
Prizes between $600 and $99,999, may be claimed at the Mississippi Lottery Headquarters or by mail. Mississippi Lottery Winner Claim form, proper identification (ID) and the original ticket must be provided for all claims of $600 or more. If mailing, send required documentation to:
Mississippi Lottery Corporation
P.O. Box 321462
Flowood, MS
39232
If your prize is $100,000 or more, the claim must be made in person at the Mississippi Lottery headquarters. Please bring identification, such as a government-issued photo ID and a Social Security card to verify your identity. Winners of large prizes may also have the option of setting up electronic funds transfer (EFT) for direct deposits into a bank account.
Mississippi Lottery Headquarters
1080 River Oaks Drive, Bldg. B-100
Flowood, MS
39232
Mississippi Lottery prizes must be claimed within 180 days of the drawing date. For detailed instructions and necessary forms, please visit the Mississippi Lottery claim page.
When are the Mississippi Lottery drawings held?
- Cash 3: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Cash 4: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
- Match 5: Daily at 9:30 p.m. CT.
- Cash Pop: Daily at 2:30 p.m. (Midday) and 9:30 p.m. (Evening).
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Mississippi editor. You can send feedback using this form.
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