Jackson Jambalaya

you might want to reconsider your remarks regarding Speetjens. The ONLY sentence for murder was, and remains, life imprisonment. At the time, parole was a part of the law set by the LEGISLATURE. Prosecutors had no authority to negotiate a sentence that would eliminate parole eligibility at that time.

So, spell out what you think she did wrong if you can.

".....Cynthia Speetjeens negotiated a plea bargain as prosecutor for Hinds County. The two were thus eligible for parole after only ten years."

ok 4:30

you are a certified idiot along with the writer of this blog.

write with specific facts you clueless moron.

strong apology may follow if warranted.

7:51 is a certified anonymous idiot poster.

I smell a lurker.

Hmmm...Speeters possibly.

Considering how many learned people, including attorneys, back then criticized the plea bargain, there were alot of idiots in 1992.

What is really horrible is that this family can not get past the murder. EVERY 18 months they have to come down here from Tennessee and attend the parole board hearing.

Judging from just reading the facts of the newspaper articles, though bias they may be, it may appear that taking the plea was a good idea given the strength of the case.

Some conviction, be it through a guilty plea, is better than none at all.

I have a friend who was murdered on the same street - Wayne Harrison, former owner of bebop. Totally different circumstances, but still, I understand the way it used to be. Otha Hoskins went to trial for the murder and is awaiting parole.

Judging from just reading the facts of the newspaper articles, though bias they may be, it may appear that taking the plea was a good idea given the strength of the case.

Some conviction, be it through a guilty plea, is better than none at all.

I have a friend who was murdered on the same street - Wayne Harrison, former owner of bebop. Totally different circumstances, but still, I understand the way it used to be. Otha Hoskins went to trial for the murder and is awaiting parole.

Has anyone else heard that Cynthia Speetjens is under consideration for Magistrate Sumner's position when he retires? I heard some other names mentioned as well, but she was in the group supposedly under strong consideration.

Got any other names of people being considered for that post? Judge Sumner is a good egg, hate to see him go.

Judge Chapman . . .

Well, just goes to show the reverse racism by JPD. Same thing with my brother. He was white but no one ever got prosecuted for his death. The whole system is corrupt down there but the Fereral Authorities have been notified of bribes that people tried to get from my family to push our case through the hinds county so-called judicial system. This guy was released to kill again. He should still be behind bars. I know the families pain and my heart goes out to them as JPD and the DA have been extremely rude to my family as well. Everyone gets what they give in life and we all stand in judgement one day. And that mean you to Shuler Smith!!!!

Hmmm...Sounds like reverse racism within the judicial system in hinds county. The victim suffers over and over and then to be treated like dogs by JPD and the DAs office. Was Faye Peterson the DA back then? If so, that explains everything. However, Shuler Smith is no better! My thoughts and prayers go to the Dew family.

I say for all the white people to move to Rankin county. Seems law enforcement over there has a better handle on things. Let the thugs in Hinds County kill each other and do the world a favor!!!! Live by the sword then die by the sword!

um...white people? why not just say decent people? or do you really feel all white people are clean?
I'm white, I live in Rankin County, and I have some fine black neighbors. I have a few trashy white ones. Ask which ones I'd rather have as neighbors?
11:02...don't move to my street, please.

Regardless of the plea negotiated by C. H. Speetjens @ 7:51 pm on 10/10/09; she still had very little compassion for the families of the victims she, the State , represented when she was a prosecutor for Ed Peter's office

Brad Dew and I were classmates at Millsaps both majoring in history....he was extremely competitive....and smart...everytime I bragged about a grade...he was always a point or two ahead of me....

Its a small round world....this killer will get his one day I imagine...

RIP Bradley Dew

Bradley Dew was my son. Cynthia Speetjens did a superb job of prosecuting his killers. She obtained the harshest penalty available at that time. Fortunately, the legislature belatedly came to its senses and strengthened Mississippi's sentences for homicide,but this cannot be retroactive. Ms Speetjen's supported us through the trial and has continued to do so to this day. She personally attended his murderers' parole hearings and plead that they not be released. The justice system in Mississippi, particularly the parole board, has a lot of problems, but Ms Speetjen's is not one of them.

Actually I'm posting something about this Monday. I pulled the file this week for Morris's conviction, sentencing, and appeal.

I made the mistake of relying on the Clarion-Ledger articles and it seemed from reading them they were both plea-bargained.

The file states he was indicted, convicted after a jury trial, then appealed and lost. I had planned on writing a post that was a correction and apology to Ms. Speetjeens. At JJ I don't hide corrections or apologies and was going to do it on Monday, my heaviest traffic day. There are some sharp criticisms to be made about Speetjeens but not in regards to the conviction of Mr. Morris.

My sympathies and prayers are with your family Mr. Dew. I think its an outrage this guy is out on the streets and think it needs to be brought to the public's attention.

Brad was a great friend, teammate, and person. He was truly one of the good guys. It is amazing, and frightening that one of his killers is running free not even 20 years after this tragedy.