Hinds County (Miss.) Sheriffs Beat Black Man Unconscious after he Turned himself in

From [HERE] and [HERE] Four more Hinds County Detention Center jailers are suspended without pay, bringing to 13 the number disciplined over misconduct with inmates at the Raymond jail.

Sheriff's Department spokesman Lt. Jeffery Scott on Monday confirmed the suspensions are related to the beating of Charles Johnson, an accused killer and carjacker, who turned himself in to the Sheriff's Department on Feb. 16.

The sheriff said photos 16 WAPT News brought to his attention are the key pieces of evidence behind a mass firing at the Hinds County Detention Center. WAPT received graphic photos from Johnson's family and brought them to the Hinds County Sheriff's Department.

Johnson's family said he told them that he was beaten until he was unconscious. "Having a badge doesn't give you the right to beat and abuse these men no matter what they have done," a Johnson family member, who didn't want to be identified, said. At his family's request, Johnson has been moved from the Detention Center in Raymond and is now being held at the jail in downtown Jackson.

Now, authorities are investigating whether the pictures could lead to federal charges. WAPT cameras were rolling last month when Charles Johnson, 32, walked into court with two black eyes.

Sheriff Malcolm McMillin would not discuss the additional jailers under departmental scrutiny but said he will release information today.

Eight jailers, including a supervisor, already have been fired and one suspended for an incident March 6 at the jail. McMillin announced March 21 that he fired the jailers March 18 for "inappropriate force" involving five or six inmates shortly after they were booked into the jail. His evidence included surveillance tape of the incident.

In addition to the internal investigations, the FBI is investigating both incidents to see whether charges are merited.

Like Scott, FBI spokeswoman Deborah Madden said the agency's investigation could lead to other incidents as evidence is turned over by the Sheriff's Department.

A relative of Johnson said the family filed a complaint with the FBI on Thursday. Johnson's wife also reportedly complained to the Sheriff's Department in person last week. Family members allege jailers beat Johnson while he was shackled shortly after he surrendered.

Johnson, who is from Clinton, is accused of killing 22-year-old Eugene Roberts on Feb. 15 and carjacking two vehicles, including a FedEx delivery truck, the same day.

The relative of Johnson, who asked not to be identified for fear of reprisal, told The Clarion-Ledger on Monday that family members had not been informed by the Sheriff's Department of any action taken against any jailers in Johnson's case.

All of the jailers fired after the first incident appealed. An internal review panel upheld four firings last week and is expected to hear the other four this week.

McMillin said he suspended the one jailer because that person still was in training.