Virus not going away Nation reopens and protests are distracting Americans, but infections are still rising Story, Page 3A FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020 | CLARIONLEDGER.COM PART OF THE USA TODAY NETWORK The Clarion-Ledger - 06/12/2020 Page : A001 Senate panel ‘Time for a new flag’ advances Miss. appeals court nominee Matthew Daly ASSOCIATED PRESS WASHINGTON – The Senate Judi- ciary Committee on Thursday advanced a federal appeals court nominee from Mississippi, despite Democratic objec- tions over derisive comments he made about former President Barack Obama and his signature health care legislation. The GOP-led panel en- dorsed Mississippi Ap- peals Court Judge Cory Wilson Wilson on a 12-10, party- line vote. The nomina- tion now goes to the full Senate. Wilson, a former Republican state legislator who has been on the state appeals court for 16 months, was nominated by President Donald Trump for a seat on the New Or- leans-based 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. The court, which hears cases from Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas, is considered one of the most conservative appeals courts in the nation. Before becoming a judge last year, Wilson frequently criticized Obama and other Democrats and called pas- sage of the Affordable Care Act “per- verse” and “illegitimate.” Wilson also wrote that he hopes the U.S. Supreme Court strikes down the law, which Obama signed in 2010. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, said Working Together Mississippi, a diverse coalition of faith and civic institutions, push for a change to the state flag during Wilson lacks judicial temperament. a press conference outside St. Peter's Cathedral in Jackson Thursday. BARBARA GAUNTT/CLARION LEDGER “He has repeatedly demonstrated he’s a right-wing politician” even af- ter becoming a judge in early 2019, Interfaith clergy call In a resounding a voice, they said any There is renewed hope that the Leg- she said. discussion of what design should re- islature might act to change the state Wilson, 49, said during his confir- for immediate change place the current flag must not impede flag, which contains what is commonly mation hearing last month that he ex- the current goal: Taking down a flag as- known as the confederate battle flag. pressed opinions about Obama, Hilla- Giacomo Bologna Mississippi Clarion Ledger sociated with white supremacy. “It is time,” said Bishop Brian Seage ry Clinton and other Democrats when USA TODAY NETWORK “Anything is better than what we’ve of the Episcopal Diocese of Mississip- he was a GOP lawmaker and adviser to got now,” said Bishop Ronnie Crudup of pi. “It is time for a new flag that truly top state officials. As a judge, he puts A group of interfaith leaders stood on New Horizon Church International. represents all of us... We call for our aside his past criticism of Democrats the steps of the Catholic cathedral in People have been protesting for racial legislative leaders to act now.” and some of their policies, he said. He downtown Jackson Thursday morning, justice in Mississippi and across the nation Bishop Joseph Campbell of the also pledged to follow the precedent of calling for the immediate removal of the this month at levels not seen since the civil Mississippi state flag. rights movement more than 50 years ago. See FLAG, Page 4A See SENATE, Page 4A June 13, 2020 9:51 am (GMT -5:00) Powered by TECNAVIA Families question unresolved cases of police misconduct Wilton Jackson Mississippi Clarion Ledger Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lu- USA TODAY NETWORK mumba addressed policing in Jackson in a statement last week when protests After the death of George Floyd in were perhaps at their peak in the United Minnesota and ensuing nationwide States. protests, past cases of police brutality “We remain focused on building a po- have faced renewed scrutiny across the lice department based on trust, integri- country. ty, and community collaboration. We This week, families in Jackson remain dedicated to justice,” the mayor brought attention to cases in which said in a statement. Jackson police officers have not been charged after deadly encounters with ‘Why do we have to live where we citizens. Family members spoke out can’t be protected?’ about the inaction and need for police reform at the Sweet & Associates law Bettersten Wade, the sister to the firm in Jackson. Robinson, said in a news conference Dennis Sweet IV, attorney at Sweet & Tuesday with Sweet that she wants jus- Associates, represents the families of tice for her brother. George Robinson and Mario Clark, two According to a lawsuit filed by Rob- black men who died after separate en- inson’s family, officers “mercilessly beat counters with Jackson police officers. “ Robinson on Jan. 13, 2019, and he died “Black people are being assaulted by two days later. people in blue. You can see the root Hinds County Coroner Sharon Gris- growing all over the country,” Sweet IV ham-Stewart said the state medical ex- said. “We have to make sure we take aminer found that George Robinson Bettersten Wade calls for justice for her late brother George Robinson, who was care of our root in our soil and these died of a subdural hemorrhage, caused killed by Jackson police in 2019. Wade spoke on behalf of her family at a press family members so that we can uplift conference held at the law offices of Sweet & Associates in Jackson on Tuesday. the rest of the country.” See FAMILIES, Page 4A SARAH WARNOCK/CLARION LEDGER MLB draft State briefs Weather Volume 178 | No. 104 Home delivery pricing inside. Mets pick J.T. Ginn in second round, Reds Miss. Police Chief: Officer fired for High 88° ❚ Low 64° Subscribe 877-850-5343. pick MSU signee Hendrick in first. 1B using racial slur, captain demoted. 7A Sunny. Forecast, 2A ©2020 $2.50 QEAJAB-09806v 4A ❚ FRIDAY, JUNE 12, 2020 ❚ CLARION LEDGER Families Continued from Page 1A by blunt force trauma to the head, ac- cording to the state medical examiner. The state medical examiner ruled the death a homicide. “They weren’t even looking for him, they were looking for someone else, in- stead, they killed my brother,” Wade said. “What the city of Jackson going to do about it? How are we going to stop police brutality? Why do we have to live where we can’t be protected and served?” Three officers were named in the law- suit — Anthony Fox, Desmond Barney and Lincoln Lampley — as well as Amer- ican Medical Response Inc., the ambu- lance company that responded. The of- ficers were placed on paid administra- tive leave after the incident, per stan- dard law enforcement policy. The Jackson Civil Service Commis- sion ordered Fox, Barney and Lampley to be reinstated to their regular duties, but the city has not complied with the commission’s order. Fox and Barney are no longer with JPD. Lampley has been reassigned to a different department within JPD and is not patrolling the streets, according to public information officer Sam Brown. In October 2019, police spokesman Sgt. Roderick Holmes told the Clarion Family members, at a press conference held at the law offices of Sweet & Associates in downtown Jackson on Tuesday, say Ledger the department is awaiting find- they want justice over what they describe as police brutality. PHOTOS BY SARAH WARNOCK/CLARION LEDGER ings from a Hinds County District Attor- ney’s investigation. As of this week, there is no court record of any officer be- “While I swiftly supported the termi- were before supposedly join this “thin, ing indicted in Robinson’s death. nation of the JPD officers involved, that blue line?” To me and my family, it is a The district attorney did not return decision that was later reversed by the line soaking with blood of innocent peo- multiple calls for comment for this article. civil service commission,” the mayor ple and we are tired of it and we want a Dennis Sweet III, an attorney for said. “Since then, the Jackson Police change here in the city of Jackson.” Sweet & Associates, said Mayor Lu- Department has referred the case to the mumba “calls the shots” when it comes District Attorney and the administra- Arresting officers policies and procedures. tion has exercised all of its authority “He is the commander-in-chief, and power to support an objective re- Lee Edward Bonner was shot by po- Sweet said. “If there is going to be view of this case.” lice on Feb. 21, 2018, in the 1300 block of change, he needs to do it.” Deer Park Street. Police said officers Candice Cole, a spokesperson for Lu- ‘Blood of innocent people’ were investigating possible drug activ- mumba, said because the case is pend- John Knight III, left, and John Knight ity near Jackson State University when ing, the city won’t comment. Sr., right, speak at a press conference John Knight Sr. stood next to his son, they came in contact with Bonner and held by the law offices of Sweet & John Knight III, Tuesday. In September another man. They immediately ran, ‘Nothing has been done’ Associates in downtown Jackson on 2018, Knight III was pulled over by then police said. Tuesday. Then Jackson police officer JPD officer Vincent Lampkin. Officers chased the men to a nearby Mario Clark was diagnosed with Vincent Lampkin was convicted of Knight III told the Clarion Ledger that abandoned house. The other man es- paranoid schizophrenia at a young age. assaulting John Knight III during a Lampkin pulled him out of his car, as- caped while Bonner shot at officers with On Valentine’s Day 2019, he suffered a traffic stop in May 2018.