After video shows police Tasing, Lumumba contradicts Police Chief Davis on cause of death

Ross Reily, Mississippi Clarion Ledger
·2 min read
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Jackson Mayor Chokwe Anton Lumumba publicly disagreed Monday with Jackson Police Chief James Davis on the events that led to the death of Keith Murriel on Dec. 31.

Three JPD officers all were placed on leave after the incident. On Jan. 3, Davis originally released a statement, saying Murriel had a health emergency while being taken into custody and then died.

"I will say that Chief Davis needs to speak for himself and what he meant by that statement, but based on the knowledge that I have, I must say that I disagree with that statement," Lumumba said. "Maybe he meant that in a different way ... but based on the information available to me, what took place is not clearly communicated."

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Lumumba also called on the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which is in charge of the investigation, to release body cam video of the arrest.

"I have written a letter to MBI to request the release of the video footage of the incident with JPD and (Murriel), so that the family will not only have it, but that we all will have full transparency," Lumumba said. "We want the community to be able to trust this process and that remains our position."

He went on to say that if MBI refused to hand over the video, he would consult the city attorney's office to ascertain whether the city can release the video on its own.

However, there was a video released to WAPT from a bystander that shows officers repeatedly using a stun gun Murriel during the encounter.

Jackson Mayor Chokwe Anton Lumumba publicly disagreed Monday with Jackson Police Department chief James Davis on the events that led to the death of Keith Murriel on Dec. 31.
Jackson Mayor Chokwe Anton Lumumba publicly disagreed Monday with Jackson Police Department chief James Davis on the events that led to the death of Keith Murriel on Dec. 31.

"I do not want to be accused of hindering the prosecution or interfering with an investigation," Lumumba said. "It is appropriate for MBI to release the video."

A phone call and email to the Jackson Police Department requesting comment from Davis were not immediately returned.

The incident happened at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31, at the victim's home at 572 E. Beasley Road when officers took Murriel into custody.

"Officers Avery Willis, Kenya McCarty and James Land were later placed on administrative leave as a result of the incident," officials said in a statement on Jan. 3.

American Medical Response was called to the scene to render aid, but the victim was pronounced dead upon arrival, according to a WLBT report.

Lumumba said Monday that he had just spoken with Davis and told him that we would be telling the public he disagreed with the chief's position.

This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Mayor calls out police chief in response to video of man Tased