Mississippi News
Embattled DA in Curtis Flowers case headed to runoff in circuit judge race
Embattled DA in Curtis Flowers case headed to runoff in circuit judge race
Longtime prosecutor Doug Evans, known for trying Curtis Flowers six times for murder with convictions that were later overturned, is headed for a Nov. 29 runoff for a circuit court judge seat.
Evans earned the second-most votes Tuesday in five-person election and will face top vote-getter Winona Municipal Court Judge Alan “Devo” Lancaster because neither candidate garnered 50% of the vote.
The 5th Circuit Court district includes Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Montgomery, Grenada, Webster and Winston counties. The winner will succeed Judge George Mitchell, who died in April.
As a circuit court judge, Evans could hear criminal cases in the same district where the U.S. Supreme Court said he prevented Black people from serving as jurors, including in Flowers' case.
Evans, who has been the district attorney of the district for over 30 years, first tried Flowers in 1997 for the killings of four people at the Tardy Furniture store in Winona.
Evans secured four death penalty convictions for Flowers, but those were overturned by state and federal courts. In two trials, a jury didn't reach a unanimous verdict.
The U.S Supreme Court overturned Flowers' conviction in 2019, ruling Evans barred Black jurors in the case.
Evans recused himself after the Mississippi Center for Justice, which represented Flowers, asked for him to be removed from the case. Attorney General Lynn Fitch was appointed as the lead prosecutor.
In September 2020, Fitch's office dropped charges against Flowers after he spent 23 years in prison, most of it on death row at the Mississippi State Penitentiary at Parchman.
In 2021, Flowers sued Evans in federal court for misconduct, which Evans has denied. U.S. District Court Judge Neal Biggers Jr. ordered the case stayed until May 1, 2023.
Other candidates in the 5th District Circuit Court race were Ackerman attorney Kasey Burney Young, Kosciusko attorney Doug Crosby and Louisville attorney Zachary Madison.
Lancaster is a partner at the Lancaster Taylor Law Firm in Winona. He has been a municipal judge in Winona since 2010 and attorney for Montgomery County Economic Development since 1986.
This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
Mississippi News
Jury deliberations underway in Beth Ann White retrial
SUMMARY: Beth Ann White is currently on trial for causing a crash that killed a mother and her six-month-old son, while also leaving the mother's two other children with brain and spinal injuries. White's blood alcohol content was three times the legal limit at the time of the crash, and she has been indicted on four counts of aggravated DUI. After the first trial ended with a hung jury, White was re-indicted and the retrial is currently ongoing. The defense is arguing whether White was actually under the influence at the time of the crash. The state has presented its case and the defense has not called any witnesses.
The post Jury deliberations underway in Beth Ann White retrial appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Silver Alert issued for 55-year-old Jackson man
SUMMARY: A Silver Alert has been issued for 55-year-old Joseph Turner from Jackson, Mississippi, who was last seen on May 1. Turner was walking in an unknown direction wearing an Army-colored hoodie, red shirt, and blue jeans. He suffers from a medical condition that may impair his judgment. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is seeking information on his whereabouts, and anyone with information is asked to contact the Jackson Police Department. In other news, a Biloxi councilman has pleaded guilty to a drug conspiracy involving vape shops.
The post Silver Alert issued for 55-year-old Jackson man appeared first on www.wjtv.com
Mississippi News
Altercation at Mississippi police department leads to officer-involved shooting
SUMMARY: Authorities are investigating an officer-involved shooting at a Mississippi police department in Mendenhall. The incident occurred on May 2 while an officer was booking a suspect on domestic violence charges. An altercation took place between the suspect and the officer, resulting in the officer discharging his weapon and shooting the suspect. The officer sustained minor injuries, and the suspect was taken to a local hospital for treatment. The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is looking into the incident, and their findings will be shared with the Mississippi Attorney General's Office.
The post Altercation at Mississippi police department leads to officer-involved shooting appeared first on www.wjtv.com
-
Mississippi Today4 days ago
On this day in 1951
-
Mississippi News5 days ago
One injured in Mississippi officer-involved shooting after chase
-
SuperTalk FM3 days ago
Festival merger in Leland sets up one major event for Mississippi Delta
-
Mississippi News2 days ago
Two women accused of shoplifting across southeast captured in Mississippi
-
SuperTalk FM3 days ago
PERS bill set to phase in employer rate increase heads to governor’s desk
-
Mississippi Business1 day ago
Geartek expanding operations in Alcorn County
-
Mississippi News Video7 days ago
Vehicle fire blocks all lanes of I-55 South in Hinds County
-
SuperTalk FM6 days ago
Investigation underway after gun found in backpack of Ridgeland High School student