80 Days Later: Still No Arrests in Jessie Lee Williams Case- Black Man Beaten to Death by Mississippi Jailers

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April 24, 2006

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It's been 80 days since the death of Gulfport inmate Jessie Lee Williams. While authorities say they have proof of those involved in his alleged beating at the Harrison County Jail on February 4th, no arrests have been made. "It's clear that if even if Mr. Williams had even scratched the officer's cheek in an altercation during an attempt, he would have been charged with a felony immediately of simple assault or misdemeanor assault on a law enforcement officer. Had the shoes been reversed, Mr. Williams would be in jail, probably held without bond," said attorney and Gulfport NAACP president Felicia Dunn Burkes. One officer has resigned, another has been terminated, but there's still no word from Sheriff George Payne. The sheriff has said he is under orders from the U.S. Attorney not to speak about the investigation. The Williams Family's attorney Michael Crosby says the sheriff is an elected official and can say something. "What would be wrong with the sheriff coming out and saying, 'I will not tolerate abuse in my jail. I will not tolerate guards and other deputies standing by while someone is beaten to death. I will not tolerate someone being tortured or having a bag put on his head with mace sprayed in there.' Why can't he say, 'My community, I will not let this happen. I will take action. I will fire anyone doing that,'" said Crosby. The Gulfport chapter of the NAACP continues to circulate a petition calling for the removal of Sheriff George Payne from office. [MORE]

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Deputy Fired for Role in Beating & Filing False Report
A female jailer named in a wrongful death lawsuit has been fired, and according to the lawsuit, she is accused of participating in an inmate's beating and of filing a false report. Deputy Regina Rhodes' termination was effective April 11. Rhodes is among six corrections officers identified as being in the Harrison County jail booking room Feb. 4 when Jessie Lee Williams, 40, was beaten. Rhodes is the second corrections officer from that group who is no longer employed at the jail. Although Sheriff George H. Payne Jr.said he can't make statements about personnel issues, he stated, "we're just now getting copies of information from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and the Justice Department and are being allowed to do our own internal review." Payne's attorney earlier this week said a recent termination and the March 8 resignation of former Deputy Ryan Teel were both associated with the booking room incident. Williams' death was ruled a homicide. The lawsuit for Williams' estate claims Teel "was the principal actor who beat and abused" Williams and that Rhodes helped and encouraged other jailers to participate. According to the lawsuit, Rhodes filed a false report and later tried to withdraw it, but Payne would not let her change her report. The lawsuit also claims negligence in hiring and discipline practices at the jail, and claims Teel and Rhodes were "mentally and psychologically unfit" for their positions. [MORE]

  • Pictured above: This picture is a depiction made of the booking room on the night of February 4, 2006, based upon witness statements, in which Jessie Lee Williams, Jr. was hog-tied, shackled (hands to feet), sack on head, blood dripping from the beating, and carried like a human suitcase -soon to be slammed/dropped on his face -two times. [more]