by Mina Corpuz, Mississippi Today December 14, 2023

In a recent development, a Sunflower County grand jury has decided not to indict an Indianola police officer who shot an 11-year-old boy during a domestic call, according to a statement released by the attorney general's office on Thursday. The incident, which occurred approximately seven months ago, has sparked controversy and demands for justice from the victim's family.

The shooting took place on the early morning of May 20, when police officers were called to the home of Nakala Murry in Indianola. The officers were responding to a report about the concerning behavior of the father of Murry's younger child. As the officers stood in the doorway, Officer Greg Capers discharged his weapon, hitting the 11-year-old boy named Aderrien in the chest.

Nakala Murry, the mother of the victim, spoke out during a press conference held in Grenada, expressing her emotional devastation after watching the body camera footage of the incident. She described feeling disgusted, outraged, and emotionally damaged but emphasized her commitment to fighting for justice for her son.

While Murry, her attorney, and supporters continue to call for criminal charges against Capers, the grand jury's decision not to indict the officer brings relief to Capers and his representation. Michael Carr, Capers' attorney, stated his client's relief and satisfaction with the grand jury's review of the case, finding no criminal intent on Capers' part.

However, Carlos Moore, the attorney representing the Murry family, expressed his disagreement with the grand jury's decision, highlighting the belief that there are unanswered questions surrounding the incident. Moore stated that they would persist in seeking justice through the civil legal process to ensure accountability.

The release of the body camera footage has been a point of contention throughout the legal proceedings. Recently, Nakala Murry was granted access to view the footage but faced restrictions on sharing it publicly. The city and police chief initially requested the video to be sealed, citing concerns for the victim's privacy. However, the name of the victim, Aderrien, has been made public since the shooting.

Moore has called for the city of Indianola to release the body camera footage to the public, filing an objection to the order restricting its dissemination. He argued that the evidence should be considered a public record. The outcome of this objection is currently pending, with hopes that the district court judge will rule in favor of making the video accessible to the public.

The attorney for Capers, Michael Carr, maintains the stance that the shooting was an accident and believes that the body camera footage will support their position. Carr stated that Capers mistakenly thought he was shooting at the adult man they were called about, not a child.

Following the shooting, Capers was placed on paid administrative leave, which was later changed to unpaid leave. Capers' request to return to his job has not been approved by the Board of Aldermen, as reported by the Enterprise-Tocsin. With the likely dropping of the aggravated assault charge following the grand jury decision, Carr expects his client's current legal situation to change.

Despite the challenges faced by her family, Nakala Murry expressed hope for her son's recovery with the support of counseling and loved ones. She pledged to continue fighting for justice and accountability, stating that each day is a battle she is willing to face.

The recent grand jury decision has shed light on a case that has raised questions about the use of force by law enforcement officers and the need for accountability in such situations. As the legal proceedings continue, the public waits for further updates and a possible resolution in this heartbreaking incident.

UPDATE 12/14/23: This story has been updated to reflect action taken by the Sunflower County grand jury.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.