Mississippi attorney general won't seek a new trial for officer in fatal shooting of Black motorist
The office said it followed the process after a split verdict left one officer free and another deadlocked in the 2022 shooting case.
- On Monday, Sept. 28, 2026, a Hinds County jury acquitted former Capitol Police officer Steven Frederick Jr. of manslaughter while deadlocking on charges against officer Michael Rhinewalt in the fatal 2022 shooting of Jaylen Lewis.
- The officers claimed they acted in self-defense after Lewis rammed their vehicle during a traffic stop, prompting them to fire into his car in September 2022.
- Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch's office announced it will not pursue a new trial against Rhinewalt, stating the agency "followed the process" regarding the prosecution.
- William Drake, father of Lewis, told reporters Monday's verdict adds to unresolved questions surrounding his son's death but said he still has faith that justice will be served.
- Rhinewalt faces a separate October trial for aggravated assault stemming from an earlier 2022 shooting in which victim Sherita Harris survived but sustained permanent neurological and facial injuries.
25 Articles
25 Articles
Prosecutors won't seek to retry former officer who fatally shot a Black motorist in Mississippi
Mississippi’s attorney general said she will not retry a former police officer after jurors failed to reach a verdict on a manslaughter charge stemming from the fatal shooting of a Black motorist. Jurors on Monday deadlocked on the charge against…
Prosecutors won't see to retry former officer who fatally shot a Black motorist in Mississippi
Mississippi’s attorney general said she will not retry a former police officer after jurors failed to reach a verdict on a manslaughter charge stemming from the fatal shooting of a Black motorist. Jurors on Monday deadlocked on the charge against…
Mississippi attorney general won’t seek a new trial for officer in fatal shooting of Black motorist – WTOP News
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi’s attorney general said she will not retry a police officer after jurors failed to reach a verdict on a manslaughter charge stemming from the fatal shooting of a Black motorist. Jurors on Monday deadlocked on the charge against Mississippi Capitol Police officer Michael Rhinewalt and acquitted a second Capitol police...
The Toronto Star
Mississippi attorney general won’t seek a new trial for officer in fatal shooting of Black motorist
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi's attorney general said she will not retry a police officer after jurors failed to reach a verdict on a manslaughter charge stemming from the fatal shooting of a Black motorist.
Mississippi attorney general won't seek a new trial for officer i
FILE - Arkela Lewis, bottom right, the mother of Jaylen Lewis, who was shot to death during an encounter with officers of the Mississippi Capitol Police department, testifies before members of the Jackson delegation of the Mississippi Legislature at the Mississippi State Capitol on March 6, 2023, in Jackson, Miss. (AP Photo/Rogelio V. Solis, File)
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