Mississippi Officials Defend Sheriff in 18-Year-Old Nolan Wells Probe as NAACP Alleges Dereliction
Updated
Updated · Fox News · Jul 23
Mississippi Officials Defend Sheriff in 18-Year-Old Nolan Wells Probe as NAACP Alleges Dereliction
3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Jul 23
Summary
Jackson County officials and Mississippi politicians publicly backed Sheriff John Ledbetter after NAACP President Derrick Johnson accused local authorities of being “derelict in their duties” in the Nolan Wells death investigation.
Jeremy England, a state senator representing part of Jackson County, called the accusation “completely unfair” and said the sheriff, district attorney, crime lab and state law enforcement were pursuing facts carefully rather than yielding to public pressure.
The dispute followed Ben Crump’s release of an independent autopsy saying an 18-year-old Wells had red discoloration on his head, while the pathologist could not determine a cause or manner of death pending further investigation.
Forensic pathologist Michael Baden said the reported head injury could be superficial and accidental, and authorities have previously said they do not suspect foul play in Wells’ disappearance after a July 4 boat trip to Horn Island.
Wells vanished on July 4, his remains were found on July 6, and the case is drawing wider scrutiny as Rev. Al Sharpton offers a $50,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction.