Justice

Stuck Behind Bars, Waiting for Mental Care

Judges in Mississippi have few options when sentencing men and women who need mental-health care but have also committed a crime.

Let’s Talk About Violence, Then Take Action

It's a problem when all cops are stereotyped, but it's also wrong that more law enforcement won't speak out publicly like that about bad cops and, too often, will defend violent actions.

Jury Finds Hinds DA 'Not Guilty,' Hood Looks to Smith's Next Trial

A jury found Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith "not guilty" on three counts for hindering the prosecution of Christopher Butler.

Witness for Hinds DA Helps State’s Case Against Him, Confirms ‘Hindering’

One of the witnesses called to help Smith actually ended up confirming that he probably did what the State is accusing him of doing—hindering the prosecution of Christopher Butler for white-collar mail-fraud charges.

Hinds DA's Motive Doesn't Matter in Conspiracy Case, State Argues in Court

The State of Mississippi rested its case against Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith Friday, bringing the first week of his second trial to a close, even as the jury had to stay sequestered through the weekend at the Eagle Ridge Conference Center in Raymond.

Newly Discovered Footage Changing Focus of Hinds DA's Trial

The second trial of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith for trying to hinder the prosecution of Christopher Butler is different from his first trial earlier this year in at least one significant way. Recently discovered surveillance video footage from the home of Butler weakens one of Smith's primary defenses for his actions to help Butler.

Witness Says Video Key to Prosecutor's Case Wasn't Altered

A witness Wednesday refuted claims that someone tampered with a video recording key to a criminal case against the prosecutor in Mississippi's largest county.

Stinker Quote of the Week: 'Don't Be Too Nice'

At a New York event last week meant to bring awareness to MS-13 gang activities and his administration's efforts to eliminate criminal cartels, President Donald Trump encouraged officers to not be too gentle with criminals.

Hindering Justice? DA Smith Back on Trial

The second trial of Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith kicked off at 9:03 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 1, with a jury of seven women and five men who did not seem all that happy to be there.

Mississippi Physician's Sentencing on Prison Bribery Delayed

Sentencing has been delayed until at least September for a physician who pleaded guilty in May to bribing Mississippi's former corrections commissioner.

Judge Again Rejects Bail for 1 of 3 Charged in Boy's Death

A Mississippi judge is still denying bail to one of three teenagers charged with capital murder in the shooting death of a 6-year-old boy.

As DA's Trial Begins, Key Player Sentenced 30 Years for Pot Found in MBN Raid

As the second trial against Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith begins today, Christopher Butler, 40, is headed to prison for 30 years without parole after a Hinds County Circuit Court jury convicted him of possession of a large amount of marijuana on July 27.

Most of Mississippi's Juvenile Lifers Await Resentencing

In light of U.S. Supreme Court decisions, Mississippi has been starting to set new sentences for people imprisoned to life without parole for crimes committed when they were juveniles. But some say the pace has been slow, with more than half of the 87 affected offenders still waiting to be resentenced.

Learning from Henley-Young’s Progress

Years after litigation and cutting way down on the number of kids behind bars, Jackson faces an interesting crossroads: Our juvenile-justice center might be the leader for rehabilitative treatment for youth in the city.

The Henley-Young ‘Emergency Room’ Shows Progress, Houses Fewer Youth

The Henley-Young Juvenile Justice Center has come a long way since a federal judge issued a consent decree and settlement agreement back in 2012, which required the county to cut back on the number of incarcerated kids and increase mental, health and rehabilitative services for youth.

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