Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens, II issued the following statement.
Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens II announced that a Hinds County jury has found a man guilty in a shooting that turned a moment of mourning into chaos and violence. Ameni Olugbala was found guilty of murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle for the 2020 killing of 25-year-old Walter Hart Jr. The incident began inside Westhaven Funeral Home on Robinson Road, where an argument between family members escalated. As the altercation spilled into the parking lot, Olugbala retrieved a firearm and opened fire on a vehicle as it was attempting to leave. The vehicle, which contained multiple occupants, was struck by gunfire. Walter Hart Jr. was shot while inside the car. He attempted to drive away but only made it to a nearby gas station, where he was found dead behind the wheel.
After trial, a jury returned a guilty verdict on all counts against Olugbala: first degree murder and shooting into an occupied vehicle. He faces a sentence of life for first-degree murder and 20 years for shooting into an occupied vehicle. Sentencing is scheduled for June 9th, 2025. “Walter Hart Jr. was shot and killed at a funeral home, a place meant for peace, not bloodshed,” said District Attorney Owens. “This wasn’t just reckless, it was a complete disregard for human life, in a setting where families were already grieving. This sentencing brings justice to Walter’s family and sends a clear message: violence won’t be tolerated in our community, not in our streets and certainly not at our places of mourning.”
14 comments:
Ol' Jody is sure busy for having a "part time job."
Jody must be trying to make himself look good to a potential jury pool.
It's truly sad that so many people have difficulties with conflict resolution, allowing it to escalate to life-changing...and life-ending...levels.
Jody Owens is an amateur. No matter what he tries to do. With 100s of murders, some are just gimme’s. That’s what you’re reading about. Jody is a little kid in a man’s body. Pretty much an empty suit, like the rest of them.
The trial won't be near Jackson. It is federal.
Jody's not one of those real criminals, he 's just a possibly slightly corrupt elected official.
Great job Jody, and it only took 5 years!!
@6:39 PM - It will be tried in the federal courthouse in ...wait for it...Jackson, MS. The jury pool comes from a large area, but the trial takes place in....JACKSON Federal Court.
It looks as if the part-time prosecuting attorney is trying to get on full-time.
Way to go, Jody! Now, you see how much good you can do when you're not out soliciting bribes? You could have been getting this admiration all along - without all the snarky comments about your next gig in the Federal Penn.
What was the deal with this guy's attorney? Sporting a mohawk is one thing. But his was even an insult to mohawks.
It would have saved everyone trouble if he hadn't driven off from the funeral home
How sad to read. No conflict resolution skills. No emotional regulation abilities. Just anger = shooting and murdering.
Nothing good happens on Robinson Road.
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