Archive for the ‘Greenwood, Mississippi’ Category

Crazed Greenwood Mississippi Police Officer Casey Wiggins Not Charged After Assaulting High School Student, Pulling Gun On Unarmed Student Twice

July 16th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI - A judge ruled today (Monday) that a Greenwood police officer whose scuffle with a student was caught on video and drew national attention will NOT be charged with assault.

Leflore County Circuit Judge Ashley Hines said in a ruling issued today that there’s NO probable cause to issue an arrest warrant for Officer Casey Wiggins for simple assault on Greenwood High School student James Marshall.

Police officers and public school teachers are entitled to a probable cause hearing under state law before arrest if accused of committing a felony or misdemeanor while on duty.

The December 6th, 2006 confrontation was captured by school surveillance cameras. The videotape from those cameras showed Wiggins pulled his gun on Marshall and pointed it at Marshall’s head. Wiggins also appeared to put the teenager in a choke hold.

Hearing For Crazed Greenwood Mississippi Police Officer Casey Wiggins, Subject Of $2 Million Lawsuit, Who Twice Pulled Gun On Unarmed Student During Videotaped Assault

July 2nd, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI – Greenwood High School student James Marshall testified in Leflore County Court this morning that Police Officer Casey Wiggins “almost pistol whipped me” in a Dec. 6, 2006, confrontation at the school.

Leflore County Judge Ashley Hines is presiding over a probable cause hearing to determine if Wiggins, a rookie officer, should be arrested for assault in the incident.

Leflore County District Attorney Joyce Chiles showed videotaped footage in court this morning of the confrontation. In the footage Marshall and Wiggins are seen grappling in the hallway. A separate camera shows Wiggins pulling a gun on an unarmed Marshall and briefly putting him in a choke hold before finally leading him away.

“He told me he wished nobody was around because he would have whooped my little a–,” Marshall testified.

Student Assaulted By Uncertified Greenwood Mississippi Police Officer Casey Wiggins Interviewed On TV

May 27th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI – James Marshall claims police Officer Casey Wiggins threatened to kill him when the two clashed in the halls of Greenwood High School last December.

The senior publicly made the allegation for the first time in an interview he gave May 15 for a television program that has yet to air.

“I was afraid for my life. I thought I was going to be dead,” Marshall said. “(Wiggins) told me he was going to kill me, more than twice.”

The interview with Marshall and his attorney, Carlos Moore of Grenada, is intended to be the pilot for a weekly talk show on WHCQ. The Cleveland, Miss., television station airs on Channel 7 on the Time Warner Cable in Greenwood.

Allen Hawkins, the station’s general sales manager, conducted the interview along with guest host Casandra Townes, a resource teacher at Gilliam Head Start Complex in Greenwood. Hawkins said it was the first television interview Marshall has given.

Trial Date Set In $2 Million Civil Case Against Crazed Greenwood Mississippi Police Officer Casey Wiggins After His Attack On High School Student, Pulling Gun Twice

May 26th, 2007

GREENVILLE, MISSISSIPPI – A civil lawsuit against Greenwood police officer Casey Wiggins whose scuffle with a high school student was caught on a security video has been scheduled for trial on July 7, 2008, in U.S. District Court in Greenville.

U.S. Magistrate Eugene M. Bogen filed an order on Wednesday setting the trial date and dates for pretrial motions and hearings.

On Dec. 6, 2006, Wiggins was working security at Greenwood High School when he got into a scuffle with a student, James Marshall. On school security video, Wiggins is seen pulling his service pistol twice on Marshall and placing him briefly in a choke hold.

Marshall filed a $2 million lawsuit against Wiggins, Police Chief Henry Harris, the city of Greenwood, Mayor Sheriel Perkins, the Greenwood School District and principal Percy Powell.

Leflore County Mississippi Deputies Lose Prisoner At Courthouse

April 9th, 2007

LEFLORE COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI – The Leflore County Sheriff’s Department is looking for a criminal defendant who ran out of Leflore County Circuit Court Thursday morning, jumped into his own car, and fled the scene, according to Sheriff Ricky Banks.

Chris Davis, who was facing charges of violating the terms of his probation, drove himself Thursday to the courthouse to appear at a hearing before Circuit Court Judge Margaret Carey-McCray, Banks said.

“We had two courts going on at the same time,” Banks said, Carey-McCray’s and Circuit Judge Richard Smith’s.

On Thursday, both courts, the sheriff said, were being served by a single deputy.

Once Carey-McCray sentenced Davis to serve two years in prison, Banks said, the deputy took Davis over to Smith’s courtroom.

Greenwood Mississippi Police Officer Casey Wiggins Forced To Train At Police Academy - Maybe Afterwards He Won’t Choke Or Pull A Gun On Unarmed Students

March 23rd, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI – A Greenwood police officer, who was caught on tape in a scuffle with a high school student, will get training at the police academy.

Casey Wiggins was working security at the high school back in December when it happened. Wiggins can be seen pulling his service pistol on a senior and putting him in a choke hold. The student has filed a $2 million dollar lawsuit against Wiggins, as well as the police chief, the city mayor and school district.

The student’s attorney says quote, “the city is doing too little too late” by having Wiggins trained.

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Untrained, Uncertified Greenwood Mississippi Police Officer Casey Wiggins To Get Training - May Even Learn Not To Pull A Gun On Unarmed Children - Center Of $2 Million Lawsuit

March 22nd, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI - Greenwood police officer Casey Wiggins whose scuffle with a high school student was caught on security video will receive training at the police academy.

Carlos Moore, attorney for senior James Marshall, said in a statement Tuesday that “the city of Greenwood is doing too little too late.”

On Dec. 6, Wiggins was working security at Greenwood High School when he got into a scuffle with Marshall. On school security video, Wiggins is seen pulling his service pistol twice on Marshall and placing him briefly in a choke hold.

Marshall has filed a $2 million lawsuit against Wiggins, Police Chief Henry Harris, the city of Greenwood, Mayor Sheriel Perkins, the Greenwood School District and principal Percy Powell in federal court.

“It’s just a waste of taxpayer’s money at this point,” Moore said in the statement. “The money the city will spend to train Wiggins could be used to help settle Marshall’s lawsuit.”

Update: $15M Lawsuit Filed Against Greenwood Mississippi Police And City Officials For Man’s Beating, False Arrest And False Inprisonment. Names Officers Jim Burden, Terrance Craft And Sgt. Tanisha Lewis, Chief Henry Harris, Former Mayor, Etc…

March 21st, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI – Rogric Washington of Greenwood filed a $15 million federal lawsuit Monday against Greenwood police officers and city officials for “false arrest, false imprisonment and civil rights violations,” according to a statement issued from the law office of attorney Carlos E. Moore of Grenada, who is representing Washington.

The lawsuit names as defendants police officers Jim Burden, Terrance Craft and Sgt. Tanisha Lewis, Police Chief Henry Harris, former Greenwood Mayor Harry Smith, city council president and state Sen. David Jordan, all other Greenwood city councilmen and the city of Greenwood.

In the lawsuit, Washington claims the police illegally beat him and sprayed him with Mace “and another homemade concoction” after they saw him walking down the street in Greenwood on June 11, 2006, with a DVD player, according to the release.

Moore is also representing James Marshall, Jerrance Jones, and Latara Kemp in separate multi-million dollar suits against the city of Greenwood and others for alleged police misconduct.

Fourth Lawsuit Against Greenwood Mississippi Alleges More Police Misconduct After Man Was Attacked By Officers

March 20th, 2007

GREEENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI – Grenada attorney Carlos E. Moore filed a fourth lawsuit against the city of Greenwood today in Leflore County Circuit Court.

Moore is representing Rogric Washington, 28, who according to the federal suit, was walking from his mother’s house to his grandmother’s house with a DVD player in hand on June 11 when two Greenwood Police officers approached him began to question him. Washington answered the officers but continued walking.

The suit, which is one side of a legal dispute, states that after Washington delivered the DVD player to his grandmother, one of the officers sprayed him twice with mace and repeatedly placed his knee in Washington’s back.

According to a news release from Moore’s office, Washington was then arrested for resisting arrest, disturbing the peace, and disorderly conduct. Washington was later found not guilty on those charges.

The release describes Washington as “mentally challenged.”

Greenwood Mississippi Police Officer Casey Wiggins’ Probable Cause Hearing Delayed, Again, Until Summer

March 11th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI — The probable cause hearing for Greenwood Police Officer Casey Wiggins has been delayed again, according to the officer’s attorney.

Originally scheduled for Jan. 5, the hearing was moved to Jan. 26 and then to March 19.

Attorney Mitchel Creel of Yazoo City said the hearing will likely take place on July 2, more than seven months later than the initial date.

On Dec. 6, Wiggins was working security at Greenwood High School when he got into a scuffle with senior James Marshall. On school security video, Wiggins is seen pulling his service pistol twice on Marshall and placing him briefly in a choke hold.

Case Against Greenwood Mississippi’s Uncertified Police Officer Casey Wiggins Delayed Yet Again - As Lawsuits Rain Down On City…

March 11th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI – The probable cause hearing for Greenwood Police Officer Casey Wiggins involving a scuffle with a Greenwood High School student on Dec. 6 has been delayed again, according to the officer’s attorney.

The probable cause hearing was originally scheduled for Jan. 5, then was moved to Jan. 26 and then to March 19.

Attorney Mitchel Creel of Yazoo City said the hearing will likely take place on July 2. “We want to get it over as quickly as possible,” he said.

Creel said he requested the latest delay from Leflore County Circuit Judge Ashley Hines when he realized that he was working on a manslaughter case and a DUI aggravated assault case in Hinds County on March 19.

The attorney said the manslaughter case would require considerably more time to prepare for than the Wiggins case.

Creel’s request for a continuance in the case was granted by Hines on Wednesday.

Another Lawsuit (4th!) Against Greenwood Mississippi And Police Officers In The Works, Police Officers Jim Burden, Terrence Craft, And Tanisha Lewis Facing Criminal Complaints

March 10th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI ? Grenada attorney Carlos Moore is preparing a fourth lawsuit against the city of Greenwood and its Police Department, this time against three of its officers concerning an incident that allegedly happened on June 11, 2006.

Moore was in town Wednesday assisting his client, Rogric Washington, in filing criminal charges in Leflore County Justice Court against officers Jim Burden, Terrence Craft and Tanisha Lewis.

According to Moore, Washington was walking down Linden Avenue on June 11 carrying a DVD player when he was stopped and “accosted” by Craft.

The attorney said Washington “is a ward of the state” who is “mentally challenged.”

The officers suspected Washington of stealing the DVD player even though there was no report of a theft, he said.

“They tried to get the DVD from him. He went to his grandmother’s house that is on that street” and left the player there, Moore said.

Greenwood Mississippi Claims That Their Crazed Uncertified Police Officer Casey Wiggins Didn’t Do Anything Wrong After Attacking Teen At High School, Pulling His Gun On Child Twice

March 8th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI - The city of Greenwood and the school system claim in response to a federal lawsuit that police officer Casey Wiggins used appropriate force in apprehending student James Marshall.

The case gained national attention when a videotape of the Dec. 6 scuffle between Wiggins and Marshall was released. In the video, Wiggins is seen pulling his service pistol twice on Marshall. It also shows him using an apparent choke-hold briefly on the youth.

The student has sued the city, the school district and others for $2 million. The lawsuit was filed Jan. 5 in federal court in Greenville.

The response to the lawsuit was filed Feb. 27 by Daniel Griffith of Cleveland, the attorney for the defendants. The defendants claim Wiggins “had a particularized and objective basis for believing that Marshall was engaged in criminal activity.”

The defendants ask that the lawsuit be dismissed, according to a http://www.gwcommonwealth.com article.

Pre-Academy Police Recruits Carry Guns In Many States

March 6th, 2007

Some are blaming these harrowing episodes on what an Associated Press survey found is a common practice across the country: At least 30 states let some newly hired local law enforcement officers hit the streets with a gun, a badge and little or no training.

These states allow a certain grace period - six months or a year in most cases, two years in Mississippi and Wisconsin - before rookies must be sent to a police academy. In many cases, these recruits are supposed to be supervised by an experienced officer, but that does not always happen.

New Law Enforcement Officers Lack Training In 30 States

March 6th, 2007

Some are blaming these harrowing episodes on what an Associated Press survey found is a common practice across the country: At least 30 states let some newly hired law enforcement officers hit the streets with a gun, a badge and little or no training.

These states allow a certain grace period — six months or a year in most cases, two years in Mississippi and Wisconsin — before rookies must be sent to a police academy. In many cases, these recruits are supposed to be supervised by a full-fledged officer, but that does not always happen.

Some States Put Untrained Police Officers On Duty - With Expected Results…

March 6th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI ? Four months into his job, a police officer in Mississippi holds a gun to the head of an unarmed teenager and puts him in a chokehold. A rookie officer in Illinois gets into a car chase that kills a driver. And a new campus policeman in Indiana shoots an unarmed student to death. Some are blaming these harrowing episodes on what an Associated Press survey found is a common practice across the country: At least 30 states let some newly hired local law enforcement officers hit the streets with a gun, a badge and little or no training.

These states allow a certain grace period ? six months or a year in most cases, two years in Mississippi and Wisconsin ? before rookies must be sent to a police academy. In many cases, these recruits are supposed to be supervised by a full-fledged officer, but that does not always happen.

Greenwood Mississippi Police Officer Raymond Moore Denies Coverup Involving Mayor’s Son

February 19th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI – A Greenwood police officer has denied an allegation that he tried to cover up a 2005 alleged assault involving the sons of the city’s mayor.

Sgt. Raymond Moore said he plans to file a complaint with the Mississippi Bar Association against Carlos Moore, the Grenada attorney involved in the case, and is considering other legal action.

“I refuse to sit by and watch some lawyer and other people drag my name through the mud …,” said Raymond Moore in a written response he delivered to the Commonwealth.

Raymond Moore and Carlos Moore are not related.

Last week, Alondus Anderson filed affidavits in Leflore County Justice Court accusing Raymond Moore and fellow officer Keith Armstrong of obstruction of justice.

She alleges that Raymond Moore ordered Armstrong to destroy paperwork she tried to file at the police station on May 5, 2006, against Willie Perkins Jr. and his teenage brother, Jamal.

Judge Denies Request For Public Records From Attorney Who Filed Lawsuit After Greenwood Mississippi Police Officer Casey Wiggins Twice Pulled Gun On Student, Assaulted Student - Judge Tells City Attorney James Littleton To Ignore Public Records Requests And Subpoenas

February 18th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI ? A request for additional school security video footage showing a Dec. 6 incident at Greenwood High School was denied Friday by Leflore County Chancery Judge Jon Barnwell.

The request was made by Grenada attorney Carlos Moore, who is representing GHS senior James Marshall.

Marshall has filed a $2 million lawsuit in federal court over the Dec. 6 incident, where Greenwood Police Officer Casey Wiggins twice pulled a gun on Marshall.

The federal names Wiggins, Police Chief Henry Harris; Mayor Sheriel Perkins; the city of Greenwood; Dr. Les Daniels, superintendent of the Greenwood School District; and the school district as defendants.

“I don’t have any reason to invoke equitable discovery principles when you’ve already filed a lawsuit” in federal court, Barnwell said.

School Safety Audit Ordered After Greenwood Mississippi Police Officer Casey Wiggins Assaults Student, Pulls Gun Twice, Choke Hold, And Resulting $2 Million Suit

February 14th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI – Mississippi Secretary of Education Hank Bounds has ordered a safety audit of the Greenwood School District following a complaint over a Dec. 6 incident between a Greenwood police officer and a Greenwood High School senior.

Grenada attorney Carlos Moore, who is representing senior James Marshall in a $2 million lawsuit against police officer Casey Wiggins, the city and the school district, requested Bounds look into safety issues at Greenwood High School and the district in a Jan. 22 letter.

Bounds’ reply by letter, dated Feb. 8, a copy of which was provided by Moore, said his department will conduct the security audit districtwide.

Attempts to reach city school Superintendent Les Daniels were unsuccessful late Tuesday afternoon.

In a statement Tuesday, Moore’s said he was pleased with news of the audit.

“My paramount concern is the safety of my client, James Marshall, and other similarly situated students,” Moore said.

Minister Files Aggravated Assault Complaint Filed Against Greenwood Mississippi Mayor Sheriel Perkins’ Sons

February 14th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI – A Greenwood minister has filed an aggravated assault charge against the adult son of Greenwood Mayor Sheriel Perkins over a May 5, 2006, incident involving the minister’s 17-year-old daughter that allegedly occurred near the mayor’s home.

“It was horrible,” said the Rev. Vera Kemp, pastor of the Cathedral of Praise Church in Greenwood.

The complaint was filed Monday in Leflore County Justice Court, along with separate complaints filed by another family member accusing Greenwood police officers of trying to cover up the case.

A copy of the incident report was provided by Grenada attorney Carlos Moore, who is representing Kemp and her daughter, Latara, in the matter.

It alleges that the assault took place as Latara Kemp was driving on Palace Street near the Perkins home at 806 South Blvd. At the time, Sheriel Perkins was in the midst of a legal challenge that eventually overturned the results of a 2005 election.

Attorneys File Second, $5 Million Lawsuit Against Greenwood Mississippi And Officials, After Excessive Force By Police Officer Terrance Craft

February 9th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI ? A Greenwood man who claims he was pistol-whipped Sunday by a Greenwood police officer has filed a $5 million excessive force lawsuit against the city.

“We are sad to announce that there’s been another incident of police brutality in the city of Greenwood,” Grenada attorney Carlos Moore said.

Moore filed the lawsuit Thursday in Leflore County Circuit Court on behalf of Jerrance Jones.

Besides the city, the lawsuit also names Police Officer Terrance Craft, Police Chief Henry Harris and Mayor Sheriel Perkins as defendants.

Moore claims that Craft used excessive force on Jones, 27, including pistol-whipping and Macing while arresting him at a home at 204 Noel St. on Sunday following a routine traffic stop.

Jones was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, felony evading, a seat-belt violation, reckless driving and running a stop sign.

Greenwood Mississippi Hit With Second Multi-Million-Dollar Lawsuit After Man’s Brutal Beating By Officer Terrance Craft

February 9th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI – A second multimillion-dollar lawsuit has been filed against the city of Greenwood for alleged improper police conduct.

Jerrance Jones, 26, claims a Greenwood police officer pistol-whipped him and sprayed Mace in his face and down his throat after Jones fled from a traffic stop. Jones filed a $5 million civil suit in Leflore County Circuit Court on Thursday naming officer Terrance Craft, Police Chief Henry Harris and Greenwood Mayor Sheriel Perkins as defendants.

Police officials deny the claims. Assistant Police Chief Huntley Nevels said Craft attempted to stop Jones for not wearing a seat belt, but Jones drove off to his home on Noel Street. Huntley said Craft chased Nevels into the home in an attempt to arrest him.

“There were three other people who attempted to stop him from putting handcuffs on him,” Nevels said.

Criminal Charges Filed Against Another Greenwood Mississippi Police Officer, Terrence Craft, For Aggravated Assault, Simple Assault, And Trespassing

February 8th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI ? Criminal affidavits were filed Wednesday in Leflore County Justice Court against a Greenwood police officer alleging aggravated assault, simple assault and trespassing.

The complaints against Police Officer Terrence Craft stem from an incident on Sunday, according to Grenada attorney Carlos Moore, who is representing Jerrance Jones, 27, of 204 Noel St., and homeowner Mary Jordan, Jones’ mother.

Jones was arrested Sunday and charged with possession of marijuana with intent to distribute, felony evading, a seat-belt violation, reckless driving and running a stop sign.

Moore said the incident started as a routine traffic stop after Craft noticed that Jones wasn’t wearing his seat belt.

“Jones fled from police in his vehicle to his mother’s home and ran into his mother’s house,” Moore said in a statement issued Wednesday afternoon.

Second Greenwood Mississippi Police Officer, Terrence Craft, Subject Of Police Brutality Complaint Detailing Pistol Whipping Man, Beating Him While Pepper Spraying Him, Even After He Was Handcuffed

February 8th, 2007

JACKSON, MISSISSIPPI - Another criminal complaint has been filed against a Greenwood police officer for using police brutality in the arrest of a 26-year-old man.

Jerrance Jones and his mother, Mary Jordan, filed charges of simple assault, trespassing and burglary against Greenwood police officer Terrence Craft, according to http://www.clarionledger.com. The charges were filed today in Leflore County Justice Court.

Jordan said Craft chased her son into her house and pistol whipped him, continuing to beat him and spray him with pepper spray even after he was in handcuffs.

Jones was arrested Sunday and charged with possession of marijuana, evading arrest and a variety of traffic offenses. He is out on $150,000 bond.

Jones has hired Grenada attorney Carlos Moore to represent him. Moore is the attorney for Greenwood High School senior James Marshall, who is suing the city for $2 million over a Dec. 6 incident involving police officer Casey Wiggins where the officer twice pulled his weapon out and pointed it at the unarmed teenager.

Crazed City Of Greenwood Mississippi Wants Attorney Representing Student In $2 Million Lawsuit Against City Sanctioned For Video And Document Demands Related To Case

February 8th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI – The city of Greenwood has asked a judge for sanctions against an attorney representing a high school student who is suing over a confrontation with a police officer at school.

Carlos E. Moore represents 18 year-old Greenwood High School student James Marshall in his two million dollar lawsuit. Marshall is seeking damages after he had a pistol pointed at him by a police officer.

Moore is asking for more recordings from security cameras that captured the December 6th incident as well as officer Casey Wiggins’ personnel records and a restraining order against the officer.

The city’s attorney charges that moore has “engaged in a course of conduct which is designed to harass, embarrass, annoy and oppress the city of Greenwood.”

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Altered Arrest Docket Found In Greenwood Mississippi Police Department Following Casey Wiggins Pulling Gun Twice On Unarmed Student Which Resulted In $2 Million Lawsuit

February 3rd, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI ? A Dec. 6 entry made in the Greenwood Police Department’s arrest docket and later whited out following an incident at Greenwood High School is drawing questions, according to the attorney of Greenwood Police Officer Casey Wiggins.

“The question is, Who has the White-Out? My client doesn’t have any White-Out,” said Greenville attorney Mitchel Creel, who is representing Wiggins.

Wiggins, the city, the Greenwood School District, Greenwood Mayor Sheriel Perkins and Police Chief Henry Harris are among the defendants in a $2 million wrongful arrest lawsuit filed on behalf of James Marshall, a senior at the school.

Grenada attorney Carlos Moore, who represents Marshall, has also filed a federal criminal complaint with the U.S. Justice Department over the incident.

Greenwood Mississippi Police Captain Reginald Dean Suspended In Case Of Unarmed Student Who Twice Faced Uncertified Officer Casey Wiggins’s Drawn Gun At School

January 31st, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI ? A Greenwood police captain was suspended from the police department this week in the wake of the December confrontation between a high school student and a rookie officer.

Capt. Reginald Dean said today he was being made a “scapegoat” in the controversy over a scuffle between Greenwood High School senior James Marshall, who has filed a $2 million lawsuit, and officer Casey Wiggins, who twice pulled his gun in an incident caught on videotape.

Meanwhile, the FBI wants to interview Marshall, who is now 18, about the incident, the bureau confirmed Tuesday.

“I guess they are looking for a scapegoat,” Dean told the Greenwood Commonwealth today. “And it looks like they found me.”

Dean is the husband of Margaret Dean, an English teacher and the public relations coordinator for the Greenwood Public Schools.

FBI To Interview Student Attacked By Uncertified Greenwood Mississippi Police Officer Casey Wiggins, Who Twice Pulled His Gun On The Unarmed Student

January 31st, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI - The FBI wants to interview a high school student involved in a confrontation with a police officer who twice pulled his gun in front of dozens of pupils at Greenwood High School last month, the bureau confirmed Tuesday.

Carlos Moore of Grenada, the attorney for 18-year-old James Marshall, issued a news release saying the FBI is “launching a preliminary investigation into whether Officer Casey Wiggins of the Greenwood Police Department violated Marshall’s civil rights in violation of federal criminal law.”

However, Deborah Madden, spokeswoman for the FBI in Mississippi, told The Associated Press there is no investigation at this point.

“In order to determine whether grounds exist to open a preliminary investigation, a request was made to Mr. Moore that the FBI be allowed to interview Mr. Marshall,” Madden said.

Moore did not immediately respond to a message left Tuesday at his office.

Jury Declines To Indict Greenwood Mississippi Teen On Robbery Charges - Teen Has $2 Million Lawsuit Pending After Assault And Pistol Pulling By Police Officer Casey Wiggins

January 22nd, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI ? A Leflore County grand jury failed to indict a Greenwood teen, who is suing the city over an incident with a police officer last month at Greenwood High School, his lawyer said.

Attorney Carlos Moore said his client, 18-year-old James Marshall, was not indicted on robbery charges. Moore said he learned late last week that Marshall?s case already had been presented and that a grand jury had declined to indict him.

Marshall is suing the city over a Dec. 6 scuffle with Greenwood police officer Casey Wiggins. A security video of the incident shows Wiggins twice pulled his gun on the unarmed youth in a crowded hallway at the high school and briefly applied a choke hold on him before a school employee stepped in.

In a police incident report, Wiggins claimed Marshall resisted his instructions to show him what he and two friends had been looking at. After subduing the Marshall, Wiggins arrested him, but the senior was not charged.

Hearing Delayed For Greenwood Mississippi Police Officer Casey Wiggins, Subject Of $2 Million Lawsuit For Assaulting And Twice Pulling Gun On Student

January 22nd, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI ? A hearing to determine if criminal charges are justified against Greenwood police officer Casey Wiggins in a highly publicized scuffle with a high school student has been rescheduled for March 19.

The hearing in Leflore County Circuit Court had been scheduled for Jan. 26.

“The judge changed it. I was notified by the judge’s chambers,” District Attorney Joyce Chiles said in a http://www.gwcommonwealth.com story.

The hearing stems from a Dec. 6 incident at Greenwood High School which Wiggins got into an altercation with student James Marshall, a senior at the school. A videotape shows Wiggins twice pulled his handgun on the student.

Carlos Moore, a Grenada attorney representing Marshall, 18, has filed a $2 million lawsuit naming the city of Greenwood, Wiggins, Police Chief Henry Harris, Mayor Sheriel Perkins and local school officials as defendants.

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Greenwood Mississippi Student’s Lawsuit Against Police Officer Casey Wiggins Expanded To Include School, Principal Leslie Daniels, Superintendent Percy Powell, Asks For $2 Million After Officer’s Attack On the Unarmed Student

January 16th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI ? A student involved in a videotaped scuffle with a police officer at Greenwood High School is upping the ante, now asking for two million dollars in damages and seeking federal charges to be brought against the officer.

Carlos Moore, the attorney for 18-year-old James Marshall, had earlier sought one (m) million dollars in damages after obtaining school surveillance tapes that show the white officer, Casey Wiggins, pointing his pistol at the unarmed black teenager.

The case has sparked accusations of racism and calls for Wiggins’ dismissal. Wiggins, through his attorney, has said his actions were not excessive.

Moore told The Associated Press today (Tuesday) that he’s expanded the civil lawsuit to include Greenwood High School, school Principal Leslie Daniels and Superintendent Percy Powell.

Margaret Dean, a spokeswoman for the Greenwood Public School District, says school officials will have no comment because of the pending litigation.

Attorney Calls For Firing Of Greenwood Mississippi Police Officer Casey Wiggins For Teen’s Beating - State Records Indicate Wiggins Never Completed Police Academy, Yet He Remains On Duty

January 11th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI ? The attorney for the 18-year-old Greenwood High School student allegedly beaten by a Greenwood police officer has called for the police chief to be fired if the officer is not removed from duty by the end of the day.

The demands were sent in a letter from attorney Carlos Moore to Mayor Sheriel Perkins, who did not immediately respond to a call seeking comment. Moore represents Greenwood High School senior James Marshall.

Security cameras at the school captured Officer Casey Wiggins? Dec. 6 arrest of Marshall, including the officer twice pulling his gun on the unarmed teenager, once in a crowded hallway. In an incident report, Wiggins claimed Marshall physically resisted the officer?s attempts to see what he had been showing two friends. No charges were filed against Marshall, but Wiggins faces a probable cause hearing Jan. 26 to see if the officer violated the law.

Teen Beaten By Greenwood Mississippi Police Officer Casey Wiggins, Involved In $1 Million Lawsuit, To Appear On TV

January 10th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI ? The Greenwood High School senior who had a gun drawn on him by a police officer in the middle of school Dec. 6 will appear on national television later this week, according to his attorney.

Carlos Moore, attorney for 18-year-old James Marshall, said he and his client will be featured on the CBS Early Show and Inside Edition later this week. Video clips from Greenwood High security camera show Officer Casey Wiggins scuffling with Marshall before twice pulling his pistol on the unarmed teenager and briefly applying a choke hold on him.

Marshall has filed a $1 million federal lawsuit against the city of Greenwood and the Greenwood Police Department claiming wrongful arrest and emotional damages from the episode, which occurred in the main hallway of the high school in a crowd of dozens of students.

Greenwood Mississippi Community Abuzz About Teen’s Beating By Police Officer Casey Wiggins

January 10th, 2007

GREENWOOD, MISSISSIPPI ? The “clash” between officer Casey Wiggins and James Marshall has become the subject of a lawsuit and has created some strong feelings among people who live in the community.

Greenwood High School su