In a significant court ruling, ex-Mississippi police officer Hunter Elward receives a 20-year prison sentence for his involvement in the brutal torture of Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, marking a pivotal moment in the fight against police brutality and racial injustice.
In a recent judgment, former Mississippi police officer Hunter Elward was sentenced to 20 years in prison for his role in the torture of two Black men, Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker, during a home raid in Braxton. This incident occurred in January 2023 and involved systematic abuse including beatings, tasering, and a mock execution that resulted in one victim being shot in the mouth. Elward’s sentencing marks the beginning of justice for the victims as he is the first among six officers, referred to as the ‘Goon Squad,’ to be sentenced.
The ‘Goon Squad,’ characterized by their excessive use of force and failure to report their actions, unlawfully entered Jenkins and Parker’s home under a false pretext, handcuffed them, and proceeded with hours of physical and racial abuse. The officers also attempted to cover up their actions by planting and destroying evidence.
During the sentencing hearing, Elward expressed remorse, while victim Eddie Terrell Parker offered forgiveness, though both victims anticipate lifelong repercussions from the trauma endured. U.S. District Judge Tom Lee labeled the officers’ actions as “egregious and despicable”, highlighting a grave misuse of power that also led to accusations of similar violent conduct in other instances, including incidents involving a white victim and connections to other violent encounters and deaths.
The case, which has prompted a $400 million lawsuit against Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey for failure in proper officer training, underscores significant concerns regarding police misconduct and racial injustice. U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland affirmed a commitment to holding officers accountable for abusing public trust and violating civil rights. The remaining officers involved are expected to be sentenced in the near future, as the case continues to draw national attention to issues of law enforcement accountability and racial bias.
