Two Black men subjected to brutal acts of racially motivated torture by six Mississippi law enforcement officers are urging a federal judge to impose the severest penalties on the disgraced former lawmen.
Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker faced numerous assaults after six officers burst into their home in January 2023 without a warrant, responding to a neighbor’s complaint.
Racially Motivated Assault and Cover-Up by Law Enforcement
The officers subjected them to stun guns, a sex toy, and other objects in a racially charged attack.
The horrific ordeal escalated when Jenkins suffered a gunshot wound during a mock execution gone wrong. To cover up their actions, the officers planted drugs and a gun, with the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department supporting their false charges against Jenkins and Parker for months.
US District Judge Tom Lee is set to sentence two defendants each day, following repeated delays in the proceedings.
Attorney Malik Shabazz, representing Jenkins and Parker, called for the “stiffest of sentences,” emphasizing the enduring physical and emotional trauma inflicted upon his clients. Jenkins and Parker reiterated their ongoing suffering at a news conference, underscoring the profound impact of the harrowing ordeal.
The former officers, including deputies from Rankin County and a former Richland police officer, pleaded guilty to a range of charges, including conspiracy against rights, obstruction of justice, and deprivation of rights under color of law. Their lawyers largely remained silent or expressed remorse for their clients’ actions.
Facing potentially lengthy sentences and hefty fines, the former officers agreed to recommended sentences ranging from five to 30 years in state court, to run concurrently with potential federal sentences.
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Black Men’s Battle Against Police Brutality and Cover-Ups
An investigation by The Associated Press linked the deputies to multiple violent encounters with Black men since 2019, shedding light on a pattern of excessive force and cover-ups within law enforcement ranks.
Jenkins and Parker’s pursuit of justice extends beyond the courtroom, with calls for accountability at the highest levels of law enforcement. Their civil lawsuit against the Rankin County Sheriff’s Department seeks $400 million in damages, underscoring the enduring impact of systemic racism and police brutality on marginalized communities.
As the legal proceedings unfold, Jenkins and Parker’s courageous advocacy serves as a poignant reminder of the ongoing fight for justice and accountability in America’s criminal justice system.Read more: White House Gaza Policy Discussion Lacks Participation From Illinois Muslim, Arab Groups
