Full Breakdown
Judge Blocks Mississippi Attorney General’s Attempt to Dismiss Manslaughter Case Against Former Capitol Police Officer
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Judge Denies Permanent Dismissal Request
Hinds County Circuit Judge Faye Peterson ruled that the Mississippi Attorney General’s office could not permanently end the manslaughter prosecution of former Capitol Police officer Michael Lamar Rhinewalt for the September 2022 shooting death of Jaylen Lewis, a 25-year-old Black man. The decision leaves open the possibility of a new trial, which could be scheduled as early as February.
Background & Context
Plain-clothes officers stopped Lewis in Jackson. After his vehicle backed into an officer’s car and turned, Rhinewalt and his partner Steven Frederick Jr. fired as the Jeep Cherokee approached. Frederick was acquitted; the jury deadlocked on Rhinewalt, resulting in a mistrial. The AG’s office, led by Lynn Fitch, moved to dismiss the case permanently, arguing that a hung jury warranted “the benefit of the doubt” for law-enforcement officers.
Key Figures & Groups
- Michael Lamar Rhinewalt — former Capitol Police officer, charged with manslaughter.
- Faye Peterson — Hinds County Circuit Judge who denied the dismissal request.
- Lynn Fitch — Republican Attorney General of Mississippi, who sought permanent dismissal.
- Luke Williamson — special assistant attorney general who defended the AG’s position.
- Matthew Steffey — law professor, critic of the dismissal request.
- William Drake — father of Jaylen Lewis.
Timeline
- September 2022 – Shooting of Jaylen Lewis.
- Last year – AG’s office secured a grand-jury indictment of Rhinewalt.
- September 2026 – Trial ends in a hung jury for Rhinewalt and acquittal of Frederick.
- Following the mistrial – AG Fitch announced intent to permanently dismiss the case.
- Late October 2026 – Judge Peterson denied the permanent dismissal.
- Early February 2027 (possible) – Potential scheduling of a new trial.
Official Statements & Responses
Attorney General Fitch’s office framed the mistrial as a “tie” and said officers deserve the benefit of the doubt. Judge Peterson wrote that the AG’s office failed to provide a substantive legal justification for abandoning the prosecution.
Criticism & Opposition
Legal scholar Matthew Steffey warned that a permanent dismissal would bind future attorneys general, preventing further prosecution. Shaun Yurtkuran called the AG’s handling a “mess.” William Drake described the decision as a “political” move tied to Fitch’s upcoming gubernatorial campaign.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The prosecution is bound to administer justice and protect the public by faithfully, fairly and impartially prosecuting crimes without regard to bias, sympathy, prejudice, preference or favoritism,” — Luke Williamson
- “What that does is it instructs the next attorney general — whoever that is, and no matter what future evidence comes forward — ‘You may not prosecute this officer,’” — Matthew Steffey
- “For her to go against the grain, it was some light for me in some very dark times,” — William Drake
Why It Matters / Impact
The ruling highlights the limited checks on the Mississippi attorney general’s authority over officer-involved shootings. By refusing a permanent dismissal, the court preserves the possibility of accountability for a high-profile use-of-force incident and signals judicial willingness to scrutinize prosecutorial discretion.
What’s Next
The AG’s office has filed a motion seeking a temporary dismissal, which Judge Peterson has not yet ruled on. If denied, another prosecutor may assume the case and could schedule a new trial as early as February. The outcome will depend on who holds the attorney-general’s office after Fitch’s term ends in 2028.