A former Yazoo City police chief has been sitting in jail for over a year even though he has not been indicted.
Marshals arrested former YCPD Chief James Winstead a year ago. He was charged with capital murder. Winstead's April 2025 petition for habeas corpus provides more information about the case:
On April 9, 2025, deputies with the Yazoo County Sheriffs Department responded to a report of a gunshot victim. Upon arrival, they discovered the deceased body of Timothy Byrd. Winstead, the former police chief of Yazoo City, was present at the scene and was observed rendering aid to Mr. Byrd. Winstead voluntarily cooperated with the investigation by providing a statement to law enforcement, allowing investigators to examine his cellular phone, and permitting them to inspect and photograph his clothing and shoes. He was not arrested at that time and was allowed to return home. On April 11, 2025, two days later, Winstead was arrested and charged with capital murder. On April 14, 2025, Winstead appeared before Judge May in Yazoo County Justice Court for an initial appearance. Although law enforcement initially characterized him as a flight risk, the court granted him a $1,000,000 bond. Winstead is not a flight risk. He has lived in Yazoo County his entire life and has faithfully served the community in numerous law enforcement roles, including as Chief of the Yazoo City Police Department. At the time of the incident, Winstead immediately contacted 911, attempted to perform lifesaving measures on Timothy Byrd, and voluntarily provided a full statement to investigators with the Yazoo County Sheriffs Department. He fully cooperated with law enforcement and was initially released.
A police affidavit alleges:
James Winstead did purposely, knowingly, and feloniously kill Timothy Byrd with a Smith & Wesson .44 Magnum in the commission of a robbery of $36,000 cash that was taken from Timothy Byrd's safe and hidden in the Jeep Wrangler behind the glove box.
The Yazoo County Circuit Court denied the petition in October while Winstead sat in jail. Winstead filed a second petition in February but Circuit Judge Jannie Lewis-Blackmon denied the petition on April 2.
The case has not been presented to the grand jury. The prosecution told the Court it was still investigating the case but did not obtain his DNA sample until the day of the February hearing. Thus the accused continues to rot in jail without trial or indictment.
Winstead resides at the Bolivar County Detention Center.
Attorney Shaun Yurtkuran represents Winstead.
Kingfish note: Will Jerry Mitchell write about this case?
District Attorney Akillie Oliver just happens to be running for Yazoo County Circuit judge. Could the case be delayed until after the campaign?
3 comments:
his atty needs to pettition for the state violating his right to a speedy trial
Meanwhile, the thug that murdered Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte, NC was let go because he's "mentally incapable" of standing trial, for his *FOURTEENTH* arrest. The USA is DOOMED.
How can a person be held in jail with no charges like this?
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