A firestorm of criticism erupted in July when a man accused of shooting a seven year-old child in Jackson was released under house arrest and didn't have to post a bond. However, Jackson Municipal Court Judge Ali "Firm but Fair" Shamsiddeen defended his decision on the Charles Evers radio show on WMPR on July 19. Judge Shamsiddeen also said that he didn't want to place him in jail because he was accused of harming a child and prison life is rather "tough" on such defendants. Judge Shamsiddeen made quite a few colorful remarks and even discussed the case with the defendant's father on the air.
Here is a roadmap of what was said on the air.
1:14: The "Judge" called this controversy a "teaching moment." Yup. You peeps are a bunch of rubes who need some learnin' from his bench.
5:30: "White folks been breaking the rules forever, we know that" in reference to the high bonds given in Rankin and Madison counties.
6:20: Brings up Deryl Dedmon's murder of James Anderson. He gave Dedmon a $50,000 bond at his initial appearance but defended it. He said he didn't have enough information to give him a higher bond and was only told that he "ran over him with a truck". Dedmon is in prison now. "Bond doesn't mean a person is going to walk free forever."
8:50: Detective told him that the people came to community looking for drugs with children in the car. They got into an "altercation" with Nunnery's fiance. Nunnery tries to break up fight. White boyfriend attacked Nunnery with tire iron and beat him. Nunnery pulls out gun and shoots at him. Said Nunnery had no idea child was in a car and was in defending himself." Nunnery had no criminal record. "Should I no-bond you because a child was shot?" He said he is on house-arrest and must wear an ankle bracelet.
JPD did not charge anyone for drug-related offenses.
12:05: Shamsiddeen said he didn't want to incarcerate Nunnery because of how prisoners treat those who have harmed children. He said Nunnery would have "a tough time with the other prisoners. Now as a judge, I have to look out for the welfare of everybody. Now here is a person who is charged with harming a child and I"m just going to put him in the population with the rest of the prisoners?" Firm but fair. He said that was one major factor to consider when determining Nunnery's bond. The judge pointed out (13:00) that there was a chance he would not be indicted.
Damn. Better not incarcerate child molesters. Jail might be "too tough" on them. It appears Kingston Frazier's alleged killers got the wrong court. Oh wait, that's right. He set David Archie free when he was arrested for beating (allegedly) his wife.
13:55: People think Native African-Americans who are elected officials "can't make a decision that a white man would make." Brings up Dedmon case again. He said one white defendant was "pulled" out of his court and sent to another court where a white judge, Barnett, reduced the charge against him from aggravated assault to simple assault and gave him a $5,000 bond. Well, Judge Shamsiddunce, that is probably because Dedmon WAS DRIVING THE TRUCK THAT RAN OVER ANDERSON while the other defendant participated in the beating that took place before he was run over. One involves fists, one involves using a vehicle to run over someone. Says Native African-Americans didn't point out the low bond for that defendant "because we don't have confidence."
17:10: Says the child who was shot "was not even the child of the people who brought him there." Um, what does THAT have to do with anything? By the way "Judge", the child is a HER, not a him.
18:00: Dorothy Benford calls into the show and thanks Shamsiddunce for explaining his decision on the air.
22:00: Shamsiddunce says "Jackson doesn't have a bunch of folks running around this city out on bond committing other crimes. That's a fallacy that's being told." He says repeat offenders are those who are already convicted and is not someone out on bond (Really?). "People need to get away from the ideal that bond allows a person to go scott-free...
Once again, Shamsiddunce shoots off his mouth with no regard to the facts. Tell the family of a man who was stabbed to death a few days ago that Jackson doesn't have a problem with criminals free on bond. Here is a list of criminals who committed more crimes while free on bond in Jackson:
*Allen Johnson, Jr. was free on bond after slashing a cop.
* Remember Carolyn Temple? Two of her killers were free on bond for armed robbery when she was murdered.
* Don't forget Jarvis Durr. He was free on bond for armed robbery, rape, and business burglary when he was arrested three years later for carjacking and kidnapping. He is currently serving 45 years.
*Eddie Devine got a taste of Rankin County justice. He was out on bond not once, but twice when he carjacked a woman at Dogwood Festival on December 23, 2015. Read for yourself. Rape, kidnapping, armed robbery, and carjackings populate his criminal record.
*Melvin Potts killed a JSU professor in Madison County. He was free on bond in Hinds County after he was indicted for armed robbery and carjacking.
*Damn. I almost forgot about little Stephen Turner. He just likes to rob houses while he is free on bond.
*Our man "Troublemane" Lawson. Robbed a Clarion-Ledger reporter, posted bond, then got indicted for carjacking while he was free on bond.
Do we really need to add more examples to this sorry list? Tell these victims there are no problems with suspects committing more crimes while free on bond in Jackson, Judge Shamsiddunce.
But wait. Don't touch that mouse. The best part is yet to come.
32:10: Nunnery's father calls into the show and discusses the case with Shamsideen for several minutes. He said "I appreciate you doing the right thing for my son." Mr. Nunnery, Sr. proceeded to "add a few things to the case" that he thought the media had "blown out of proportion." He said he brought his son to headquarters. The Judge replied "That's another thing I had to consider, Mr. Nunnery... that he turned himself in. Mr. Nunnery said "He immediately called me the minute he was told a child was in that vehicle. I asked him where he was. He told me and I immediately drove down there and got him." He said his son was attacked with a crowbar for "no apparent reason than trying to break up a fight" between two women. He said his son does not sell drugs and works every day.
You read that correctly. Shamsiddunce took a call from the defendant's father on the air and discussed the case with him.
17 comments:
Shamsiddeen bears the weight of the entire Native African- American race on his shoulders.
Is that not a good reason for sanctions?
IS the conversation between this judge and the defendant's father a possible ethical violation?
Shamsiddeen said he didn't want to incarcerate Nunnery because of how prisoners treat those who have harmed children. He said Nunnery would have "a tough time with the other prisoners.
Even the convicted criminals know a low life when they see one. Anyone who would shoot a child belongs under the jail.
WTF is a "Native African American"?
The Mississippi Commission of Judicial Performance (Commission) was created in 1979 by the Mississippi Legislature and the voters of the State of Mississippi by constitutional amendment. It was created for the following purpose:
To enforce the standards of judicial conduct,
To inquire into judicial liability and conduct,
To protect the public from judicial misconduct and disabled judges, and
To protect the judiciary from unfounded allegations.
Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance
660 North Street, Suite 104
Jackson, MS 39202
Telephone: (601) 359-1273 • Fax: (601) 354-6277
Email: mailbox@judicialperformance.ms.gov
Bail: The purpose of bail is to ensure the return of the accused at subsequent proceedings. Black's Law Dictionary, 6th edition.
Nothing in the definition of "bail" suggests that the accused's race, treatment in jail, or what other judges, white or otherwise, "have been doing for years" has anything to do with the bail amount. The constitution only says that it has to be reasonable. For that reason, judges generally look at the person's ties to the community, the type of crime, and the probability the person may flee the jurisdiction to avoid prosecution. As a former judge, I can honestly say I never looked at the probability that the defendant was guilty or not guilty at that stage of the proceedings. That would come at a preliminary hearing.
By the way, I do not support million dollar bonds for burglary as a general rule. I would if it involved a drug cartel member or gangbanger that posed a signicant risk of not appearing for a subsequent trial.
My question for the judge is if he is concerned about a defendant's treatment in jail for harming a child, what age does the child have to be? Do you treat a defendant that harms a 6 year old different than a 7 year old? 10 year old? 15 year old? what about an adult victim with the IQ of a 12 year old?
Judicial Performance may well be interested in the learned judge's discussion of the facts of a pending case and communicating with the defendant's father outside the courtroom. They may even be interested in his racial views.
Hi Donna! Thanks for reading and financially supporting JJ !!!
Agreed on bail. It's purpose is to ensure defendant does not flee and shows up for trial. However, there is Section 23 where it can be set high or denied if he is a danger to the community i.e. habituals.
However, we've also seen too many suspects committing crimes while on house arrest. They get those ankle bracelets off or commit crimes wearing them anyway.
Truly the most disturbing thing I've listened to in awhile. The number of times race is brought up is unbelievable. Interesting that the "Judge" asked so many questions regarding Nunnery's circumstances to commit murder (a black man committing a crime against a white person) and subsequently decided that no bond and house arrest was appropriate, but by his own admission asked NO questions of Dedmon's circumstances to commit murder (a white man committing a crime against a black person) and bonded him for $50,000. To be clear--I don't see the difference between murder and murder and I believe both of these murderers should rot. The color of their skin or their victim's skin has absolutely nothing to do with anything.
Folks, just stay out of Jackson & Hinds county.
Jackson will collapse under it own weight of putrescence, corruption & chicanery. Hinds county will soon follow. You can see how xenophobic & racist this judge is of whites.
Kingfish is trying to show us the writing on the wall. Take heed.
The wagon train & exodus is heading north to Oxford & Tupelo soon.
Keep moving', moving', moving'
Though they're disapproving'
Keep them doggies moving', rawhide
Don't try to understand 'em
Just rope, throw an' brand 'em
Soon we'll be living' high an' wide
Move 'em on, head 'em up
Head 'em up, move 'em on
Move 'em on, head 'em up
Rawhide
Cut 'em out, ride 'em in
Ride 'em in, cut 'em out
Cut 'em out, ride 'em in
Rawhide
seems like he'd walk in madison county too after yesterday's events...
sad when justice is blind when a child is shot.
Wow! Learn something new every day. Guess I am a Native American White person. Or would that be "American Native White person" since I have no Native American blood?
African Native-Americans? Glad you asked.
9:55, look for that to show up quite a bit now.
It will be a short time until politicians will force the people to accept this as the new name of black people.
Look for riots to change history books soon. Native Americans will mean blacks. History books will have to change or they will start looting and burning.
Oklahoma will have to change their flag.
Any of you are more than welcome to go file a complaint with the Commission.
Post a Comment