Mississippi

Mississippi Teen Sentenced To Life in Prison
By Matt Sarshik
March 22, 2012 - 12:06pm
19-year-old pleads guilty to murder of Jackson man

A white Mississippi teen was sentenced to life in prison following the June 2011 murder of a 47-year-old black man.  Deryl Dedmon, 19, pleaded guilty to murder and a hate crime in James Craig Anderson's death.

Hinds County Circuit Judge Jeff Weill sentenced Dedmon to two life terms.

"This craven act isn't who we are. Whatever excuse you offer, forget that. There is no excuse. The state of Mississppi condemns this despicable crime," Weill told CNN.  

Mississippi Court Upholds Pardons Granted by Former Governor
By Ben Peck
March 9, 2012 - 3:48pm
Opponents say many of the pardoned did not follow guidelines laid out in state's constitution

The Mississippi State Supreme Court has upheld 192 pardons granted by former Governor (R) Haley Barbour before he left office earlier this year. The state’s Attorney General (D) Jim Hood filed the challenge, arguing those pardoned did not follow the proper protocol as written in the state Constitution.

Jailed civil-rights activists photos offer a glimpse into history
By Sherri Williams
April 9, 2010 - 7:43pm
More than 300 civil-rights activists were arrested in Jackson, Miss., in 1961 for defying segregation. Their mug shots, including Syracuse resident Rev. LeRoy Wright, were on display at the ArtRage gallery.

The Rev. LeRoy Glenn Wright was too determined to fight racism in Mississippi to be afraid of it when he boarded a bus in 1961 at age 19 to challenge racist Jim Crow laws in the state. 

“I was young. At 19 you’re young and foolish,” said Wright who has lived in Syracuse for 47 years. “You think you’re invincible. I don’t think I had any fear at that time.”

Wright, 68, was among more than 300 Freedom Riders arrested and convicted on a breach of peace charge in Jackson, Miss. for defying segregation.