Friday, April 4, 2025

No Blessings for Would-be Cop Killer

Previous District Attorney hid case. 

Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, II issued the following statement. 

Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II, announced a guilty verdict inthe trial of Chauncey Reed. He was convicted of attempted murder of a law enforcement officer and murder in connection with the death of his brother during a traffic stop in 2018.

On May 19, 2018, Jackson Police Officer Michael Tarrio, while on duty, initiated a traffic stop of two brothers in a white SUV near the Valero gas station on Cooper Road. As Officer Tarrio approached the vehicle, the driver, later identified as Elliot Reed, engaged in a physical altercation, assaulting the officer while trying to obtain the officer’s service weapon. Surveillance footage captured the incident, showing Chauncey Reed, 33, exiting the vehicle, aiming an assault-style rifle, and attempting to shoot the officer. A shootout ensued, which resulted in the death of Elliot.


Chauncey was subsequently arrested on charges of felony murder and taken into custody. Chauncey was sentenced to a life sentence without the possibility of parole in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. In addition, he was sentenced to 20 years for attempted murder to run concurrently.

“This case is heartbreaking on every level,” said District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II. “A routine traffic stop turned into a deadly shootout. One brother lost his life, and another will spend his in prison. Officer Tario’s bravery that night was extraordinary, and I am grateful to our Hinds County judiciary for their dedication to upholding justice in even the most difficult cases.”


 

 Synopsis of Case

JPD Officer Mike Tarrio saw Elliot Reed driving erratically as he pulled into a gas station at 1 AM on May 18, 2018. The alert officer saw several weapons in the car as he approached the vehicle and ordered Elliot to get out of the SUV. Unfortunately for all, Reed attacked Tarrio and put him into a headlock. Reed's brother, Chauncy, jumped out of the passenger seat to help his brother. Elliot tried to take away Tarrio's pistol while he told Chauncy to shoot the police officer. Elliot grappled with Tarrio while Chauncy began firing at Tarrio with a firearm. Chauncy's rounds fortunately missed the officer. Tarrio ran behind his cruiser for cover and returned fire. Elliot was killed in the exchange.

The two videos posted below show the entire struggle as well as the police officer's good fortune.


 

Unfortunately for Officer Tarrio, the case disappeared for several years. MBI referred the case to Hinds County District Attorney Robert Shuler Smith in January 2019 for prosecution. However, Smith only presented Tarrio to the grand jury for killing Elliot Reed while Chauncey escaped prosecution. The grand jury refused to indict Tarrio.

Smith went out of his way to help Reed.  Yes, you read that correctly.  Smith personally handled all police shootings as District Attorney.  One could not find a file for Chauncy Reed in the District Attorney's computer system as Smith had placed it under the code for Tarrio.  In other words, one could not find the Reed file unless he already knew where to find it.  

JJ reported the lack of prosecution for the May 2018 charges in December 2021.  Yours truly asked prosecutors about the case and that is how Smith's subterfuge was discovered.  

 MBI sent a copy of the file to District Attorney Jody Owens after JJ inquired about the case. The District Attorney reviewed the case and presented the case to the grand jury at the next term a few weeks later. The indictment states:

To-wit, Chauncey Reed, while acting in concert and/or aiding, assisting or encouraging Elliot Reed, did cause Elliot Reed to be killed while in the commission of the felony of the attempted murder of City of Jackson Police Officer Michael Tarrio,who was there and then acting in his official capacity as City of Jackson Police Officer by shooting at City of Jackson Police Officer with a firearm....

The Hinds County grand jury indicted Reed in February 2022 for first-degree murder  (his brother was killed in the commission of a crime) and aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.  

The case is assigned to Circuit Judge Adrienne Wooten.  Attorney Kevin Camp represents Reed.  Unfortunately, Sergeant Tarrio was killed in a motorcycle accident in 2022. 

Catch & Release 

Reed is a star graduate of the Hinds County Catch & Release program.  

A Hinds County grand jury indicted Reed in October 2018 for aggravated assault and shooting into an occupied vehicle in March 2017. Reed also dabbled in a little bit of drug dealing as a grand jury indicted him in May 2018 for four counts of possessing cocaine, meth, and marijuana with intent to distribute. The indictment said he had 187 grams of cocaine. He was also indicted for possessing a stolen firearm. However, the Dope Boys' D.A., Robert Shuler Smith, blessed Mr. Reed.

Smith's office remanded the aggravated assault and shooting into an occupied vehicle charges in September 2019. Prosecutors dropped the firearms enhancement for the firearms charges as well. Judge Adrienne Wooten sentenced Reed to serve 15 years in prison but suspended five years and gave him credit for time served. The drug charges are considered to be "non-violent" so Reed was probably eligible for parole after he served 25% of his sentence and paroled he was on August 10, 2021.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sentences mean nothing when a governor with the stroke of a pen can commute their sentence.

Anonymous said...

What's the deal with these taliban beards?

Anonymous said...

What's meaningless are concurrent sentences. Totally meaningless, bullshit, pussy sentences recommended by sissy D.A.s.

Anonymous said...

@4:43 PM Why would the governor commute the sentence in this case?

@5:25 PM Does it really matter if a sentence is concurrent or consecutive when one of them is life?

Anonymous said...

Ole Jodi has been busy since he got indicted

Anonymous said...

@5:54 PM - Not "the" governor but "a" governor years from now. Just like Biden did for 1,000s of felons.

Anonymous said...

Shouldn’t have hired Kevin Camp . He’s the worst attorney ever.

Anonymous said...

@6:20 PM - my thoughts exactly! Under the specter of a prison term, he finally gets off his a** and goes to work.

Anonymous said...

Kevin is a strong attorney with a solid understanding of criminal defense. It was pretty clear the judge was guiding the district attorney through this — especially Gwen.

Anonymous said...

Does concurrent or consecutive make any difference if one of them is life?

It makes a difference to me. If it made no difference why try him for two crimes and go to the trouble of making the sentences concurrent. Concurrency diminishes the value of at least one of the crimes. And that's the message received by the citizenry.

Meanwhile: How the hell does this work?...

"Police Officer Michael Tarrio,who was there and then acting in his official capacity as City of Jackson Police Officer by shooting at City of Jackson Police Officer with a firearm."

I didn't realize Tarrio, there and then, shot at a police officer. Where and when?

Anonymous said...

Probably has to do with his religion he is practicing. Shame on you.


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
.