Jackson Jambalaya

Rankin-Madison Counties' District Attorney Michael Guest announced indictments of the Kingston Frazier murder suspects today at a press conference at his Brandon office. He said a Madison County grand jury indicted the alleged shooter, Byron McBride, Jr. for capital murder.  The grand jury also indicted Deallen Washington and Dwan Wakefield, Jr. for accessory after the fact.  The indictments have not yet been served upon the defendants.

Mr. Guest said McBride killed the young boy during the commission "of the crime of kidnapping."  McBride was also indicted for possession of stolen property.  He allegedly stole the 2000 Toyota Camry driven by Kingston's mother on that horrific night.

The grand jury indicted Washington on three counts: accessory to murder after the fact, accessory after the fact to kidnapping, and accessory after the fact to motor vehicle theft.



Wakefield met a somewhat different fate.  The grand jury did not return an indictment against Wakefield but instead issued a finding of probably cause.  The District Attorney said the grand jury determined there was probable cause to indict Wakefield for accessory after the fact to murder, kidnapping, and motor vehicle theft.  However, Wakefield was only 17 years old when Kingston was kidnapped and murdered.  None of these alleged crimes carry a possible life sentence upon conviction.  The grand jury said the original jurisdiction lies with the Madison County Youth Court.  The grand jury asked the Youth Court to certify Wakefield as an adult and return the case to Madison Court Circuit Court so he can be tried as an adult.  Wakefield is currently free on a $250,000 bond. 

Mr. Guest said a meeting will be held with the Madison County Youth Court Monday about the case. Youth Court proceedings are closed to the public.  Washington was also under the age of 18 years old when the crime was committed.  However, Washington was already under the jurisdiction of the Madison County Circuit Court since he was already under indictment for armed robbery.

The District Attorney said that prosecutors have not yet decided whether to seek the death penalty against McBride.

He also said that the evidence pointed to McBride as the killer of little Kingston but Wakefield and Washington for accessories after Kingston was killed.  Mr. Guest said he has not had any recent conversations with Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith about any possible Hinds County prosecutions against any of the trio.

The possible prison maximum sentence for accessory after the fact to murder or kidnapping is 20 years. The maximum prison sentence is 5 years for accessory after the fact to motor vehicle theft.