Ellington

A few days before Assistant Attorney General Charlie Maris went into heart surgery, he left his Bible on his desk with a notation in Romans 8 that read "a mind controlled by the Spirit equals life and peace."

Maris died last Thursday after suffering complications from the procedure at Baptist Hospital.

After graduating from the University of Mississippi Law School in 1980, Maris started his career in the criminal division of at the Attorney Generals Office. He held various positions within the department and served as director of the criminal division in 2004.

In that role, he played a key role in re-opening the case against Edgar Ray Killen, who was found guilty in 2004 of manslaughter in the death of three civil-rights activist in Neshoba County in 1964.

Colleagues at the attorney General's Office remember him as a patient and humble man who was dedicated to justice.

"He was a gentleman's lawyer, a victim's friend, and a Christian with a peaceful heart.  I only have a few heroes, most of who are lawmen or prosecutors.
Charlie was one of them," said Attorney General Jim Hood in a press statement.

Maris, who was 52, was born in Brookhaven and lived in Madison at the time of his death. He leaves behind his wife Stacy and son Will.

Memorials may be made to Christ Covenant School, 752 Pear Orchard Road in Ridgeland, 601-978-2272.

Previous Comments

ID

156224

Comment

Charlie Maris was a wonderful guy and my mom's best friend at the AG's office. he will be sorely missed!

Author

Lori Kincses

Date

2010-02-22T14:23:25-06:00