Six Former Mississippi Police Officers Plead Guilty to Horrific Racist Torture Event
Episode 129, Aug 17, 2023, 11:00 AM
In a deeply disturbing episode of police misconduct in Mississippi, six former white police officers entered guilty pleas on charges stemming from breaking into a home and torturing two Black residents. This shocking incident, which involved racial abuse, physical torture, and an attempted coverup, has raised concerns about the state of policing and racial biases in law enforcement.
Incident Details and Background
On January 24, Christian Dedmon, Hunter Elward, Brett McAlpin, Jeffrey Middleton, and Daniel Opdyke, all formerly affiliated with the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, along with Joshua Hartfield from the Richland Police Department, unlawfully invaded the residence where Michael Jenkins, 32, and Eddie Parker, 35, were living. The house belonged to Kristi Walley, a paralyzed woman whom Parker, a childhood friend, was assisting with care.
This vile act was set into motion when Brett McAlpin, the chief investigator from the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, was informed about two Black men living at a property by his neighbor. Dedmon was asked to address this complaint.
Based on the federal complaint secured by PEOPLE, Dedmon reached out to fellow officers Middleton, Elward, and Opdyke, infamously known as the “Goon Squad” due to their violent tendencies and a history of cover-ups. Through group messages, they plotted the attack, making sinister arrangements and instructions on how to avoid leaving evidence.
Details of the Assault
Upon arrival, they tactically maneuvered to avoid surveillance cameras and forcefully entered the residence. What transpired over the next two hours was nothing short of horrifying. Both Parker and Jenkins were tasered, handcuffed, and subjected to an unwarranted arrest. The officers engaged in a campaign of abuse which included kicking, berating the victims with racial slurs, inappropriate use of objects, and forcing both men to take showers to erase evidence of their abuse. As the ordeal continued, Jenkins endured a gunshot to his mouth that left him severely injured.
Attempted Coverup
The officers didn’t stop at physical abuse. In their attempt to cover their tracks, they hatched a plan involving planting drugs on Jenkins and fabricating a story about the shooting. Middleton even suggested placing a ‘throw-down’ gun on Jenkins.
Repercussions and Reactions
The aftermath of this gruesome incident has been significant. The attorney representing Parker and Jenkins, Malik Shabazz, remarked that these guilty pleas were "historic," highlighting this as the first time in Mississippi history that a white law enforcement officer faced criminal charges for misconduct against a Black person. Jenkins and Parker's trauma runs deep, with the actions of the officers leaving a lasting scar on the Rankin County community.
Despite the tarnished reputation of the police force, Sheriff Bryan Bailey addressed the incident, stating that the actions of a few had tainted the entire department. Bailey, along with the former officers, is now facing a staggering $400-million lawsuit from the victims.
Attorneys for the officers have made various statements, with many acknowledging the gravity of their client's actions and their readiness to face the consequences. Dedmon, Elward, McAlpin, and Middleton’s representatives have yet to comment.
Conclusion
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the deep-seated issues of racial bias and police misconduct that persist in certain parts of the United States. As the story continues to gain traction, there is hope that this case will lead to systemic changes in the way policing is done and ensure that such heinous acts do not recur in the future.
Incident Details and Background
On January 24, Christian Dedmon, Hunter Elward, Brett McAlpin, Jeffrey Middleton, and Daniel Opdyke, all formerly affiliated with the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, along with Joshua Hartfield from the Richland Police Department, unlawfully invaded the residence where Michael Jenkins, 32, and Eddie Parker, 35, were living. The house belonged to Kristi Walley, a paralyzed woman whom Parker, a childhood friend, was assisting with care.
This vile act was set into motion when Brett McAlpin, the chief investigator from the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office, was informed about two Black men living at a property by his neighbor. Dedmon was asked to address this complaint.
Based on the federal complaint secured by PEOPLE, Dedmon reached out to fellow officers Middleton, Elward, and Opdyke, infamously known as the “Goon Squad” due to their violent tendencies and a history of cover-ups. Through group messages, they plotted the attack, making sinister arrangements and instructions on how to avoid leaving evidence.
Details of the Assault
Upon arrival, they tactically maneuvered to avoid surveillance cameras and forcefully entered the residence. What transpired over the next two hours was nothing short of horrifying. Both Parker and Jenkins were tasered, handcuffed, and subjected to an unwarranted arrest. The officers engaged in a campaign of abuse which included kicking, berating the victims with racial slurs, inappropriate use of objects, and forcing both men to take showers to erase evidence of their abuse. As the ordeal continued, Jenkins endured a gunshot to his mouth that left him severely injured.
Attempted Coverup
The officers didn’t stop at physical abuse. In their attempt to cover their tracks, they hatched a plan involving planting drugs on Jenkins and fabricating a story about the shooting. Middleton even suggested placing a ‘throw-down’ gun on Jenkins.
Repercussions and Reactions
The aftermath of this gruesome incident has been significant. The attorney representing Parker and Jenkins, Malik Shabazz, remarked that these guilty pleas were "historic," highlighting this as the first time in Mississippi history that a white law enforcement officer faced criminal charges for misconduct against a Black person. Jenkins and Parker's trauma runs deep, with the actions of the officers leaving a lasting scar on the Rankin County community.
Despite the tarnished reputation of the police force, Sheriff Bryan Bailey addressed the incident, stating that the actions of a few had tainted the entire department. Bailey, along with the former officers, is now facing a staggering $400-million lawsuit from the victims.
Attorneys for the officers have made various statements, with many acknowledging the gravity of their client's actions and their readiness to face the consequences. Dedmon, Elward, McAlpin, and Middleton’s representatives have yet to comment.
Conclusion
This incident serves as a sobering reminder of the deep-seated issues of racial bias and police misconduct that persist in certain parts of the United States. As the story continues to gain traction, there is hope that this case will lead to systemic changes in the way policing is done and ensure that such heinous acts do not recur in the future.