Monday, January 15, 2018

No indictment, no jail. Accused Fortification Street killer goes free. (Updated)

Update (8:30 AM 1/16/18): The October 3, 2017 bond order for Coats states that he was to be released if not indicted by January 2, 2018.  He still has not been indicted so he was released per Judge Skinner's order.  Dixon's October 30, 2018 bond order does not state a "release by" date if there is no indictment.  Hinds County rules of court requires the accused to be indicted within 90 days or be set free. See order posted below.

Original post. Accused killer Nicholas Coats was released from the Hinds County Detention Center on January 10.  Coats and Lidarius Dixon were charged with murder in the death of Chelsie Kirschten.  Coats was also charged with shooting into an occupied vehicle.  The 23 year-old waitress was killed on  August 17 when she was stopped at the intersection of Fortification Street and North State Street.


There is little more information about his release.  The last entry in the MEC system states that County Court Judge Bill Skinner ordered him bound over to the grand jury on October 31.  The booking department at the Raymond Detention Center stated that a judge ordered his release on January 10.  Coats no longer appears on the jail's website. His attorney is Damon Stephenson.

JPD's August press release stated:

During the course of the investigation, it was learned that the victim and a front seat passenger were stationary at the intersection of Fortification St. near State St. waiting for the traffic signal to change, when an unidentified black male subject approached the vehicle from the driver side armed with a silver handgun. The suspect, wearing dark colored clothing, fired a single gunshot through the front driver side window of the vehicle striking the victim (in the upper back) and he fled on foot. The vehicle continued to travel eastbound on Fortification St. and came to a final rest near the interstate. The motive for the shooting has not been determined at this time. ...
More information will be reported when it becomes available.

The victim.


Coats



62 comments:

Anonymous said...

The booking department at the Raymond Detention Center stated that a judge ordered his release on January 10.

What judge?

Kingfish said...

Believe me, if I knew, I would have reported that info.

Anonymous said...

What does this mean? Released on bond? Released with charges dropped?

Anonymous said...

I bet it ALI Shrimpdeen

Anonymous said...

WTF?

Anonymous said...

Coats will beat the rap and menace the streets of Jackson till someone caps his ass. This is why we can't have nice things in Jackson.

Anonymous said...

Maybe he will get out and drink the bad water and get sick.

Fingernail file in da cake said...

So he commits murder and gets out in a month... meanwhile Bernie Ebbers is rotting in prison

BANG! said...

I'd like to print several copies of that mug shot for use down at the pistol range. Anybody have a recommendation of an efficient printer? Ink Jet or Laser Jet?

Anonymous said...

I lost a lot of money in WorldCom, but 10:15 is right. No justice there. Feds wanted a scapegoat and took the testimony of an admitted cocaine addict for a plea bargain to hammer Bernie Ebbers.

Fair is where you buy cotton candy and ride Merry-go-rounds. Ain't no fair with the Feds.

Anonymous said...

Just for jollies, I went to the Clarion-Ledger.com website to see what they had to say. You guessed it, no mention whatsoever.

Kingfish gets more relevant news by himself than the entire CL staff.

Anonymous said...

Gang members working the courts and the prison???

Justice for Tyrion said...

10:54 PM, I did the same thing-checked the CL and found nothing. Kingfish has his pulse on the local news better than any “journalist” with CL or local news channels. I rarely agree with his opinion or most of the opinions from his blog commenters, but I must give credit where credit is due.

Plain ol' Catfish said...

FishKing blows the Jackson Fake Press out of the water.

Anonymous said...

Outrageous.

Anonymous said...

The original detention order sets a deadline for indictment as required by law. If he has not been indicted yet, he was likely released because he was not indicted before the deadline.

Anonymous said...

I am sick to my stomach. How does this happen among civilized people?

Anonymous said...

Is this another outstanding job by the Hinds County DA?

Anonymous said...

So let me get this straight.... White man (Parrish) shoots black man on his property while defending himself, and he is charged with murder. Black man shoots white person in cold blood and nobody give a shit?

Am I missing anything?

Anonymous said...

Jackson jurisprudence that we all have come to know and “love.”

StarRider said...

There is also the possibility that he's innocent. Or maybe they just couldn't prove it. Any number of possible explanations come to mind.

Anonymous said...

CL what news?????lol

Anonymous said...

DA offices are holding off on homicide indictments due to the outrageous backlog at the State ME's office. It is not unusual for a year or more to go by without an autopsy. The State ME is woefully understaffed (so they say, I don't know as it appears the year delay is due to signatures) but it is only going to get worse. All you law and order types might want to contact your represenatives and senators about increased funding for the MS Forensics Lab. I think that would have a much more meaningful effect than yet another trooper school. Granted, it wouldn't be as showy as more troopers, but would be a much more effective use of funds.

Anonymous said...

@8:49 At what point in your interactions with government in Jackson and Hinds County did you assume you were dealing with civilized people?

Kingfish said...

I will say that I've gotten complaints from some prosecutors and LEO's that some cellphone carriers can take awhile providing cell tower records. Cspire is probably the best one but the national carriers are apparently a bitch to deal with.

Anonymous said...

it's not like she was poisoned. Why do you need the autopsy to get an indictment?

Anonymous said...

Love how so many people want to decide who 8s better reporting, KF or CL, but pay no attention to the issue here. Why wasn't there an indictment? Did DA drop the ball? Was case not makeable? Did defense attorney outsmart prosecutor? Too many Christmas parties get in the way of scheduling and it got overlooked?

Hell, I'm glad somebody called KF and told him about this. I'm glad he took time to check into it. And we all realize CL has little to no value. But focus folks. Keep in mind that the main thing is the main thinv. This worrYing about who got to first first might make you think you earn brownie points with KF, but he doesn't make his brownies with any special ingredients. What's important is that there is a drug dealer and killer back on the streets rather than in jail going to trial.ft r

Fed Up said...

This story deserves national media coverage. I'll start by suggesting a "Go Fund Me" page to raise money for a billboard on Lakeland Drive just east of the Pearl River in Rankin County facing the traffic heading across the river and into Jackson, that reads "Welcome to Jackson Mississippi, A Certified Shithole Community". That oughta do it. Who's with me?

Anonymous said...

Looks like you are doing well @11:00 after your lobotomy.

We Shall Overcome said...

In looking to answer why Jackson/Hinds County persistently ranks at the bottom on so many indicators, you need look no further than to our lack of a vibrant, unifying culture. Jackson has been unable to bridge divisions rooted in race, provincialism, self-interest, and ideology. Thus, instead of discourse leading to success and distinction, we get unending squabbles that foster distress, disappointment, dysfunction, distrust, and discombobulation.

Nothing is more symptomatic of this condition than the rank partisanship in our City Council. Indeed, its leaders tout partisanship and offer no proposals to bridge divisions and develop a unifying culture.

Anonymous said...

11:09 AM
Will kick in $25.

Anonymous said...

Just another reason that the area from Belhaven Heights to the Country Club of Jackson should become its own city.

Anonymous said...

Kingfish, can you cite statute on that? I thought it was a "local 90 day rule" originally instituted by Judge Green in 2012 or 2013, and only recently mentioned as legally binding in the Supreme Court's updated Rules of Criminal Procedure, specifically, Rule 8.5c, which states:

(c) Review by Circuit Court. No later than seven (7) days before the
commencement of each term of circuit court in which criminal cases are
adjudicated, the official(s) having custody of felony defendants being held for
trial, grand jury action, or extradition within the county (or within the county’s
judicial districts in which the court term is to be held) shall provide the presiding
judge, the district attorney, and the clerk of the circuit court the names of all
defendants in their custody, the charge(s) upon which they are being held, and
the date they were most recently taken into custody. The senior circuit judge, or
such other judge as the senior circuit judge designates, shall review the
conditions of release for every felony defendant who is eligible for bail and has
been in jail for more than ninety (90) days.

Anonymous said...

Perhaps we can assume that he was let out because he was innocent. Do the math. 1 shooter and two people arrested = 1 too many guilty parties.

The probability of innocence is much higher for the person who walked into the police station and gave a willing statement versus that of the person who hid out for weeks (months?) before being arrested.

Anonymous said...

1109 Re: BILLBOARD-
get some prices from lamar or media display or whomever, preferably last billboard before entering Jackson

Anonymous said...

Rip off a drug dealer and I don't care what town you're in. Things probably won't go well for you. Curiously-- why hasn't a felony murder charge come out for a third person in all this?

Anonymous said...

He was released because of the January release date in the order. It may have taken a few more days to verfify that he hadn’t been indicted before releasing him. The 90 day release by date has been going on since Bill Barnett was County Court Judge. Judge Skinner reimplemented it when he took over the criminal docket in February 2017. It does not mean the defendants will not be indicted nor that their case was dismissed. You all may be surprised as to how many people are sitting in jail because they haven’t been indicted in over a year, prior to February 2017. There are certain circumstances that does not allow all defendants to get the release by date.

Anonymous said...

Assuming this guy was a felon when he committed the murder, the charge will be picked up by the US Attorney if it hasn’t already. He will be charged with felon in possession of a firearm, and Use of a Firearm during the commission of a Crime of Violence. The first count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and the second count carries a mandatory consecutive maximum penalty of life imprisonment.

Anonymous said...

Of Chelsies brother or father have an ounce of balls, they'll kill this scum themselves.

Anonymous said...

Nothing surprises about the totally dysfunctional Hinds County Justice system. It is the laughing stock of Mississippi.

Anonymous said...

If I was her family member, I'd be PLEASED that he was out on the streets --- running without any protection or interference -- out there "living his life" ----- accidents happen!! GEEZE hope Ms. Coats is VERY careful.

Anonymous said...

What is this world coming too I swear... And the saying its like getting away with murder well seems like alot of killers are getting away with murder the killer of that little Kingston baby was released from Madison county jail... he will get his cause Chelsea was a really dear friend to me and she didn't do drugs she was a sweet girl and her family deserves justice and that they will get either from the system or a casket they will get justice

Anonymous said...

CL is reporting it was Judge Skinner's order...

Anonymous said...

Apel rips off w/o attribution AGAIN.

Anonymous said...

I thought they had it on video and an eye witness even dufos DA ought to be able to prove this case. New Jackson Motto, if you;re white you better be packing. I mean I joke but seriously a family loses a daughter and that is horrible enough and then this.

Anonymous said...

My Christmas gift this year from my husband -- a nifty little 38 Ruger. Tiny and it fits in the outside pocket of my purse. Even I can aim and fire this without issue.......and the good news.......I will! 10 years ago or even 5 years ago I would have frowned and lectured him ......now I see the value in having it.

Anonymous said...

@ 5:24 If you mean boxes... it’s been going on for years.

Anonymous said...

In reference to Mr Ebbers
I wrote to Presidents George Bush & Obama, pleading for a pardon for him & got no response. Just maybe Mr Trump ! !
PS ( I lost $ on Worldcom too)

Anonymous said...

Psst....you rednecks stop coming to Jackson ripping off your dealers and you won't get shot. Stick to Pelahatchie meth and maybe it'll go better for you.

Anonymous said...

There is NO STATE LAW REQUIRING THAT A DEFENDANT BE RELEASED IF NOT INDICTED WITHIN 90 DAYS!
Produce the Statute! That's Judge Green's Statute and shame on Skinner for bowing down to her! With the number of murders and violent crimes in Jackson, and the small number of detectives available to work them, there is no guarantee that an investigation will be complete within 90 days!
Drop Skinner and Green!! This is ridiculous. And KF, you should do better research. A "Green" law is not binding State law, if it were, she wouldn't be the most reversed judge in the the State, just before her counterpart, Jeff Weill. And they are no h Hinds County judges...
This is CRAZY!

Ham Sall said...

@5:23 PM JJ is the Clarion-Ledger assignment desk and deep research department. Why pay for something you can steal?

Kingfish said...

Do better research? You go do the research when it's a holiday and then every office is closed because of the weather and you can't get anyone on the damn phone. I also pulled up the Hinds County Rules of Circuit Court online and your rule wasn't in there although I knew it did exist. The fact is, there is still a 90 day rule in effect.

Anonymous said...


Speaking of Ebbers, I did a lot of business with the man over the years and before he went to prison. As for me, I think he is a great guy who always, always kept his word to me. What he has been through is the crime of the century. He is sick and almost blind---it's time for him to come home.

Just so you will know, I was an investor and lost a lot of money in the stock decline but I still believe Ebbers did not know what Sullivan had done regarding cooking the books.

Anonymous said...

"So let me get this straight.... White man (Parrish) shoots black man on his property while defending himself, and he is charged with murder. Black man shoots white person in cold blood and nobody give a shit?"
Am I missing anything?

You've zeroed-in on the salient aspects of both cases. And you've just pointed out WHY it is folly to attempt to live (or even work) in Jackson). Racial REVENGE is behind so much, in that town. Just because the criminals cannot get to you, while you're inside your gated Jackson neighborhood, and just because baby hoodrats cannot get at your children, while they're in private schools, does NOT mean that you're really safe, in Jackson. When you're a member of a group whom Jackson's "leaders" have marked for destruction, just defending yourself against the actions of others, can be your ruin.

Anonymous said...

2:28
"Assuming this guy was a felon when he committed the murder, the charge will be picked up by the US Attorney if it hasn’t already. He will be charged with felon in possession of a firearm, and Use of a Firearm during the commission of a Crime of Violence. The first count carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and the second count carries a mandatory consecutive maximum penalty of life imprisonment."
you checked percentage of felon in possession convictions recently?
of note, a bill at state level introduced in msleg for same charge and enforcement b/c of lack of federal action

Kingfish said...

My understanding is he is not a convicted felon.

MK said...

My sisters dad died years ago and as for me, her brother, why would I stoop as low As the ones we are angry about? I have huge balls! Do you know how hard it is to read all these pathetic comments about rip off this and you deserve this, or the numerous other accounts of what supposedly took place? Probably not. But that’s okay, I’ve got big shoulders and am learning to deal with the nonsense. My only hope is that those who had nothing to do with this are set free and the ones who killed my sister are given a fair trial and we are awarded the opportunity to determine their standing.

Anonymous said...

Squarely the fault of the DA's office. Smith's office clearly had the case from JPD but did not present it to the GJ. Smith said that he needed to speak with the lead detective. That's BS any other detective could have presented the evidence at GJ...shady RSS...shady...there are many reasons a case may not be presented but the reason he gave is crap

Anonymous said...

Who is going to take the blame if the thug kills another person while he is running lose?

Anonymous said...


12:15,

He most likely will kill again.................

Each person responsible for setting this thug free will be held accountable if he kills again.

Kingfish said...

The State ME is woefully understaffed (so they say, I don't know as it appears the year delay is due to signatures) but it is only going to get worse. All you law and order types might want to contact your represenatives and senators about increased funding for the MS Forensics Lab.

The legislature has been giving DPS more money for the crime lab.

The problem is the money disappears once it gets to DPS.

Anonymous said...

People are not doing the job they are collecting a paycheck for.
There is all kinds of excuses. It is always the fault of someone else.
Really, it is the fault of all of those who collect a paycheck to keep citizens safe.

Why should the citizens be put in danger because people are too damn lazy to do the job they are paid to do?


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