Two Black males are getting ready to file a federal civil rights lawsuit in opposition to a Mississippi sheriff’s division, accusing it of a sample of extreme drive in opposition to Black individuals, Related Press reviews.
Attorneys for Michael Corey Jenkins, who was shot within the mouth, and Eddie Terrell Parker recognized the deputy in query for the primary time as Hunter Elward. Jenkins initially stated he didn’t know the title of the Mississippi officer who shot him; Parker later acknowledged his image after seeing it on-line.
The boys are looking for $400 million in compensatory and punitive damages, as lawyer Malik Shabazz stated he’ll file 22 claims of federal civil rights violations within the U.S. District Court docket for the Southern District of Mississippi.
“If there ever have been a case the place punitive damages wanted to be levied in opposition to law enforcement officials, that is the case,” Shabazz stated in a press launch. “This unbelievable, nasty, violent ordeal exposes that Rankin County deputies and the Division have had a protracted sample and follow of lethal extreme drive and hate crimes in opposition to its African Americans.”
The incident occurred on Jan. 24 when six white Rankin County deputies allegedly entered Parker’s home and handcuffed and beat him and Jenkins. The boys declare they have been repeatedly shocked with stun weapons and compelled to lie on their backs because the deputies poured milk over their faces. Parker and Jenkins additionally declare the officers tried to assault them with a intercourse toy discovered within the house, which led to at least one cop putting a gun in Jenkins’ mouth and firing. Jenkins spent a number of weeks within the hospital, in response to WJTV 12.
Shabazz in contrast the assault to Tyre Nichols’ demise, which occurred in Memphis and shocked the nation earlier this yr.
“Michael could be useless like [Tyre] Nichols had he not have been fortunate sufficient to outlive this close to lethal assault by 6 white Rankin County Deputies,” Shabazz stated.
The deputies, who had no physique digicam footage, stated that the raid befell as a result of a report of drug exercise. Each Parker and Jenkins have been charged with possession and different prices.
AP reported the identical county sheriff’s division has been concerned in at the least 4 violent encounters with Black males in Mississippi since 2019.
