Friday, January 12, 2024

Supremes Will Hear Fox's Request for Bond

Former police officer Anthony Fox will get an another crack at  bail after striking out twice. A Hinds County jury convicted the former JPD  officer of culpable manslaughter in 2022 in the death of George Robinson. Fox's request to remain free on bond while he appealed his conviction was denied by the Circuit Court and Court of Appeals.  However, the Mississippi Supreme Court said it will suspend the rules to consider his request for bond.  

Judge Wooten sentenced Fox to serve 20 years in prison but suspended 15 years of the sentence in 2022. Judge Wooten denied his request to remain free on bond while appealing his conviction.

Fox filed a notice of appeal with the Mississippi Court of Appeals as well as a motion for judgment not withstanding the verdict in Hinds County Circuit Court. Judge Wooten rejected the motion and denied his request for bond while he appealed the case in December after holding a hearing. The Court held Fox was a special danger to the community and should remain incarcerated.

The former police officer took his fight to get a bond to the Court of Appeals. The Attorney General notified the Court she would not oppose his motion for bond. However, the family of the deceased opposed his release on bond in a response submitted to the Court.

The Court of appeals deadlocked on a 5-5 vote to approve his request.  

Judge John Emfinger decreed: 

After a full consideration of all matters before the trial court in this cause, the trial court found that Fox's ""release would constitute a special danger to a person or to the community"" and that ""there are no peculiar circumstances of the case that render it proper for the convict, Anthony Fox, to be released after a felony conviction for manslaughter pending an appeal to the Supreme Court."

After due consideration of the matters presented, we find that the circuit court did not abuse its discretion when it denied Fox's request for bail pending appeal.

Judges McCarty, Westbrook, McDonald, and Smith joined Judge Emfinger in his opinion.  Judges Lawrence, Greenlee, Barnes, and Wilson joined Judge Carlton in her dissent. 

Fox appealed to the Mississippi Supreme Court.  The Court held:

This matter is before the Court, en bane, on Appellant's motion. After due consideration, the Court finds that the Mississippi Rules of Appellate Procedure should be suspended pursuant to Mississippi Rule of Appellate Procedure 2(c) and that, pursuant to Mississippi Rule of Appellate Procedure 27(h)(8),this Court will review the orders denying Anthony Gerald Fox bail pending appeal and will issue a ruling in due course

Justices King, Coleman, and Kitchens objected to the decision in a blistering dissent.  Justice King argued:  

This Court's order wholly fails to identify what makes this an ""extraordinary case" as required by Rule 27(h)(8). Likewise, the order wholly fails to suggest any reason, justification, or good cause to mandate a suspension of the Rules of Appellate Procedure under Rule 2(c).1

15. Moreover, I question whether Rule 27(h) has any applicability whatsoever to the issue at hand today. Rule 27 provides for ""Reconsideration on Motions."" M.R.A.P. 27(h). A court cannot reconsider something that it never considered in the first place. This Court has never considered or ruled on any motion for bail pending appeal for Fox, so it defies logic that it could use Rule 27(h) as a vehicle to reconsider a motion for bail pending appeal that it has never even considered.

 The briefs were submitted to the Court of Appeals in August.  The Court will not hear oral arguments in the case.  The Attorney General took the unusual step of asking the Court to overturn Fox's conviction.  However, Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens filed a brief opposing the Attorney General's decision.  

Stay tuned. 


14 comments:

Anonymous said...

Free the Fox

Anonymous said...

Dear Governor Reeves,

Pardon this innocent man now.

Anonymous said...

Clearly the Supremes are going to reverse and render the conviction. What a shame! Cops should be held accountable for their crimes just as any other average citizen is. Oh, but lo and behold, because he was a cop, he gets special treatment. Sickening.

Anonymous said...

Tater Tot is not going to do anything. He's a do-nothing Governor.

Anonymous said...

"Pardon this innocent man now."

But let's be sure to execute Willie Manning even though he is innocent! Good grief what a double standard!

Anonymous said...



A Cluster

Anonymous said...

If Lynn Fitch is on your side, pick a new side cause you clearly got it wrong.

Anonymous said...

Virtually nobody understands the logic involved in refusing bail to a man convicted of manslaughter (who has no priors).

Meanwhile street urchin murderers are leased on bail every month in Jackson.

Anonymous said...

Cops should be held accountable for any crimes they commit just like anyone else, IF indeed a crime was committed but they nor anyone else should be held accountable if and when there was no crime, “just because they are a cop”. What is ‘sickening’ is when the law is supposed to be in place to be just, fair and equitable to ALL and not just the privileged few who have the resources at their disposal to effect the outcome they desire.

Jane said...

Prosecuting Fox was a complete travesty of justice.

Anonymous said...

The facts of the case show Fox did not kill George Robinson. Read the court transcript. Look at the evidence. It's sad society wants to persecute cops without any evidence.

Anonymous said...

Everyone involved in this case KNOWS Fox didn’t kill anyone… EVERY last one of them!!! The evidence bears that out in addition to the expert testimonies but when “agendas” are in play, there is little to no tolerance for JUSTICE. Travesty is too kind of a word for what took place here!!!

Anonymous said...

Again...What is the point of refusing bail?

Anonymous said...

Jan 14 at 5:51 - because Adrienne Wooten is a psycho monster.


Recent Comments

Search Jackson Jambalaya

Subscribe to JJ's Youtube channel

Archives

Trollfest '09

Trollfest '07 was such a success that Jackson Jambalaya will once again host Trollfest '09. Catch this great event which will leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Othor Cain and his band, The Black Power Structure headline the night while Sonjay Poontang returns for an encore performance. Former Frank Melton bodyguard Marcus Wright makes his premier appearance at Trollfest singing "I'm a Sweet Transvestite" from "The Rocky Horror Picture Show." Kamikaze will sing his new hit, “How I sold out to da Man.” Robbie Bell again performs: “Mamas, don't let your babies grow up to be Bells” and “Any friend of Ed Peters is a friend of mine”. After the show, Ms. Bell will autograph copies of her mug shot photos. In a salute to “Dancing with the Stars”, Ms. Bell and Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith will dance the Wango Tango.

Wrestling returns, except this time it will be a Battle Royal with Othor Cain, Ben Allen, Kim Wade, Haley Fisackerly, Alan Lange, and “Big Cat” Donna Ladd all in the ring at the same time. The Battle Royal will be in a steel cage, no time limit, no referee, and the losers must leave town. Marshand Crisler will be the honorary referee (as it gives him a title without actually having to do anything).


Meet KIM Waaaaaade at the Entergy Tent. For five pesos, Kim will sell you a chance to win a deed to a crack house on Ridgeway Street stuffed in the Howard Industries pinata. Don't worry if the pinata is beaten to shreds, as Mr. Wade has Jose, Emmanuel, and Carlos, all illegal immigrants, available as replacements for the it. Upon leaving the Entergy tent, fig leaves will be available in case Entergy literally takes everything you have as part of its Trollfest ticket price adjustment charge.

Donna Ladd of The Jackson Free Press will give several classes on learning how to write. Smearing, writing without factchecking, and reporting only one side of a story will be covered. A donation to pay their taxes will be accepted and she will be signing copies of their former federal tax liens. Ms. Ladd will give a dramatic reading of her two award-winning essays (They received The Jackson Free Press "Best Of" awards.) "Why everything is always about me" and "Why I cover murders better than anyone else in Jackson".

In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.


In order to help clean up the legal profession, Adam Kilgore of the Mississippi Bar will be giving away free, round-trip plane tickets to the North Pole where they keep their bar complaint forms (which are NOT available online). If you don't want to go to the North Pole, you can enjoy Brant Brantley's (of the Mississippi Commission on Judicial Performance) free guided tours of the quicksand field over by High Street where all complaints against judges disappear. If for some reason you are unable to control yourself, never fear; Judge Houston Patton will operate his jail where no lawyers are needed or allowed as you just sit there for minutes... hours.... months...years until he decides he is tired of you sitting in his jail. Do not think Judge Patton is a bad judge however as he plans to serve free Mad Dog 20/20 to all inmates.

Trollfest '09 is a pet-friendly event as well. Feel free to bring your dog with you and do not worry if your pet gets hungry, as employees of the Jackson Zoo will be on hand to provide some of their animals as food when it gets to be feeding time for your little loved one.

Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.


Note: Security provided by INS.

Trollfest '07

Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS
.