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MESJ News Archive

2006-

Saturday, July 29, 3:00-5:00p.m.

  • MESJ commemorates the 30th anniversary of the death penalty's reinstatement.  We'll celebrate past small successes and gear up for the work to come.  Whether you've never heard of MESJ or are a seasoned member, all are welcome to attend!
  • Educational materials and displays
  • Activities for the kids
  • Special musical performance by Steve Smith
  • Finger foods and gourmet samples from Rainbow Foods
  • Rainbow Foods Plaza (Fondren, Jackson: map website)

Thursday, July 20, 7:00p.m.

  • Showing of The Exonerated.  Free to all.  For a more detailed description of the film, visit its website here.
  • Hosted at Millsaps College, the film was shown in the Ford Academic Complex, room 215.  Enter from Park Ave. off of State St. and park under the Academic Complex building, which is on the right as you enter the Millsaps gates on Park Ave. 

Tuesday, July 11, 5:00p.m.

  • Vigils for the execution of Bobby Wilcher: Parchman and Jackson
  • Presence outside the Governor's Mansion in Jackson
  • NB: The execution was placed on hold, then stayed by the U.S. Supreme Court.  They will review the case next term.

 

2005:  Take a look at some of our ads that ran in the Jackson Free Press.

January, 2005:

We are all set to begin our advertising campaign this month.  Begin checking the Jackson Free Press near the end of the month!

December, 2004:

We are planning our panel discussions and our new advertising campaign.  The next meeting will be on January 10, 2005.

November, 2004:    

Project Director Hired
MESJ is pleased to announce that Susan Voisin has been hired as Project Director.  Susan will assist us in developing educational programs addressing capital punishment and will facilitate communication among group members.  Beginning in March of 2005, MESJ will host several panel discussions at universities around the state.  Panelists will discuss their reasons for opposing the death penalty and will include diverse perspectives including religious, legal, and victim-centered views.  We will need members to serve as panelists, so please be ready to volunteer.

Dates for Meetings Set
We'll be having regular meetings on the 2nd Monday of each month at 6:00 pm, so come if you can. 

 

Mississippi News Archive

February Arguments

9:30 am, Monday, February 7, 2005, the direct appeal argument in Quintez Hodges' case.

9:30 am, Wednesday, February 9, 2005, the direct appeal argument in Derrick Walker's case.

February

An error in the wording in the indictment against juvenile defendant Justin Haynes caused the judge in the case to throw out the death penalty.  Haynes was sentenced to life in prison.

January

The United States Supreme Court dismissed the appeal of Marlon Howell.  It had originally agreed to hear the case, but in an opinion issued in January, 2005, the Court decided that it should not have taken the case.   Howell had asked the Supreme Court to address the failure of the trial court to give a jury instruction on the offense of simple murder or manslaughter.  The Supreme Court, however, determined that it did have jurisdiction to hear the issue because the issue was not adequately presented to the Mississippi Supreme Court.  Although Howell lost at this stage, he may now pursue post-conviction proceedings in state court. 

December 2nd  

Rodney Gray's motion for rehearing was denied.  Rodney now goes to the federal stage of his appeals.

The State's motion for rehearing in Willie Manning was granted; Willie now will have a hearing in the trial court instead of a new trial.

William Mitchell's motion for rehearing was denied.  William now goes to the federal stage of his appeals.