Brief
Mississippi attorney general declines new trial for officer in Black motorist shooting
Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced no retrial for the officer charged in the 2022 shooting of Jaylen Lewis.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch said her office will not pursue a new trial for Capitol Police officer Michael Rhinewalt, after a jury deadlocked on a manslaughter charge related to the September 2022 fatal shooting of 25‑year‑old Black motorist Jaylen Lewis in Jackson, the Independent reported.
Jurors acquitted a second officer, Steven Frederick, on the same charge. Both officers, who are white, testified they fired in self‑defence after Lewis allegedly rammed a police vehicle and drove toward them. "Both of them were in fear for their life and each other’s safety," Merrida Coxwell, Frederick’s attorney, told the Associated Press, as cited by the Independent.
Fitch’s office issued a statement saying it “followed the process” and will not retry Rhinewalt, adding that “in the case of a tie, the benefit of the doubt goes to our law enforcement officers.” The statement also praised the conduct of police officers generally.
Rhinewalt also faces an aggravated‑assault charge from a separate 2022 police shooting involving Sherita Harris, who alleges she was shot in the head during a pursuit.
Key facts
- Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch announced no new trial for officer Michael Rhinewalt. (independent.co.uk)
- A jury deadlocked on the manslaughter charge against Rhinewalt and acquitted officer Steven Frederick. (independent.co.uk)
- Both officers testified they fired in self‑defence after the motorist rammed a police vehicle. (independent.co.uk)
- Rhinewalt also faces an aggravated‑assault charge from a separate 2022 shooting. (independent.co.uk)
Sources
- [1] independent.co.uk — originally reported as “Mississippi attorney general won't seek a new trial for officer in fatal shooting of Black motorist”
