FBI now involved in the case
JACKSON – While civil rights and support groups make their way to Jackson to express their outrage over the murder of a 49-year old black man, the white teen jailed for his death has been moved to isolation for his own protection, sources said. Eighteen-year old Deryl Paul Dedmon is being held at the Hinds County Detention Center and he has been moved from general population to isolation.
Lt. Jeffery Scott, the Public Information Officer for the Hinds County Sheriff’s Department, said no threats have been made against Dedmon by other inmates, but the decision to relocate him was in his best interest.
“Inmates watch the news,” Scott said, “and this is a very high-profile case. If Dedmon is going to be brought to justice, he has to be brought to justice the right way. And we’re in the business to protect him while we can before he goes to court.”
Video surveillance of what appears to be Dedmon in his truck running over James Craig Anderson reportedly first surfaced on CNN and has since then been played over and over on local and national media outlets.
The allegations against Dedmon have been classified as a ‘hate crime,‘ and the FBI has now joined the investigation.
Scott Rogillio, an assistant district attorney for Hinds County, confirmed his office is handling the investigation, and that they are being assisted by the FBI.
“The FBI is involved because there are certain federal statutes that they have that we don’t,” Rogillio said. “And they’re sharing that information with us and that has been helpful to us in our charges.”
Deborah Madden, of the FBI, said they would “help determine if federal civil rights crimes occurred in the death of James Craig Anderson.”
Rogillio said Dedmon had initially been charged with the murder of Anderson, but on Friday, Aug. 19, those charges were upgraded to capital murder.
“I can’t state how we know this because it could possibly jeopardize the future investigation of the case,” Rogillio said. “But most recent allegations show that [Dedmon] robbed the victim in the commission of the murder.”
A second Brandon teen, 18-year old John Aaron Rice, was also arrested and charged after surveillance video showed him physically assault Anderson at the Metro Inn, near Ellis Avenue, in Jackson on June 26.
Anderson reportedly left the scene on foot after the physical and verbal altercation with Rice and Dedmon. Police said Anderson was walking southbound on the shoulder of I-220 when Dedmon allegedly followed him in his truck and ran Anderson over.
Initially, Dedmon’s bond was set at $50,000, but after Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith said in court that Dedmon reportedly called a friend after the alleged crime and using a racial slur said, “I just ran that n—-r over,” the judge increased Dedmon’s bond to $800,000.
He is now being held without bond.
Rice, who was arrested after Dedmon, was also charged with murder and he was initially held without bond.
Rice was later released after a judge reduced his bond to $5,000 and the charges against him to simple assault, because it was believed Rice was not in the truck when Dedmon allegedly ran over Anderson.
Smith said charges against Rice should be upgraded because his actions led to Anderson’s death.
Reportedly, several other teenagers were on the scene during the assault and more arrests may be pending.
“The investigation absolutely continues,” Rogillio said. “And we’ve got the Jackson Police Department and federal agents involved to continue in the investigation and they’re staying in constant contact with our office so that the proper charges can be brought. [District Attorney] Smith is seeking the appropriate charges on Rice and his case will be bound over as will any others the case reveals should be.”
Be the first to comment