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Mississippi Grand Jury Declines Indictment in Nolan Wells Death

By Drooid · Sep 22, 2026, 2:09 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Mississippi Grand Jury Declines

A Mississippi grand jury declined to indict anyone in Nolan Wells’ death.
Jury found body’s position, condition, time and location consistent with drowning.
No criminal, racially motivated or foul-play evidence emerged despite witness, GPS, digital data.
Bruising on Wells’ head was non-fatal, cause unknown, and toxicology found no cocaine and was inconclusive.
The panel issued 132 subpoenas, heard 43 witnesses and said case could reopen, prompting Ben Crump to condemn decision.

Summary

Wells Family Sues

Family and friends of the deceased Wells have faced online threats and harassment.
Several friends are weighing defamation lawsuits against media figures including Rev. Al Sharpton and Sunny Hostin.
The Wells family’s attorneys announced civil litigation plans and have mailed notice letters to witnesses.
District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath called for legislation to protect officials from mob intimidation.

History

Historical Context

In June 1964, three workers—James Chaney, Andrew Goodman and Michael Schwerner—were killed in Mississippi, prompting a probe that yielded no state indictments and a 1965 report of collusion. The 2005 conviction of Edgar Ray Killen on three counts of manslaughter gave justice, and the 2024 grand-jury decision not to charge Nolan Wells revives deadlock, prompting lawyer Ben Crump and Rev. Al Sharpton to demand reforms.

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Mississippi Grand Jury Declines

A Mississippi grand jury declined to indict anyone in Nolan Wells’ death.
Jury found body’s position, condition, time and location consistent with drowning.
No criminal, racially motivated or foul-play evidence emerged despite witness, GPS, digital data.
Bruising on Wells’ head was non-fatal, cause unknown, and toxicology found no cocaine and was inconclusive.
The panel issued 132 subpoenas, heard 43 witnesses and said case could reopen, prompting Ben Crump to condemn decision.

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