How 6 Mississippi officers tried to cover up their torture of 2 Black men

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The story revolves around a horrifying incident in Mississippi involving six white police officers who engaged in brutal acts of violence against two Black men, Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker. The officers, part of a self-proclaimed group called “The Goon Squad,” violently attacked the victims, including physical, sexual, and psychological abuse. They had intended to avoid leaving physical evidence, but one officer shot Jenkins in the mouth, causing severe injuries.

After the brutal attack, the officers attempted to cover up their crimes by planting drugs, stealing surveillance footage, and disposing of other evidence. They concocted a set of lies to further harm the victims and protect themselves from facing justice.

Remarkably, the officers pleaded guilty to numerous federal civil rights charges, a rare occurrence for law enforcement officers who are often shielded from prosecution. The case came to light due to an investigation by The Big Big News, which revealed a pattern of violence against Black men involving some of the same deputies.

The incident began with a racist call for violence against the Black men, and the officers, under the authority of their badges, carried out the heinous acts in a majority-white county with a significant Black population. The trauma inflicted on the victims was intensified by the racial bias and hatred demonstrated by the officers.

The article highlights the growing scrutiny of law enforcement misconduct in the United States, especially in cases involving racial bias. It also mentions the intention of the county’s sheriff to implement stricter body camera rules and federal oversight to prevent such abuses in the future.

The victims and the community expressed relief that the officers were being brought to justice, but the incident had already left deep scars on the mindset and mental state of the Black residents who expected protection from those sworn to serve and protect.

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More about Police brutality

• White ex-officers in Mississippi plead guilty to racist assault on 2 Black men during raid
• Deputies accused of abusing Black men are fired by Mississippi sheriff amid federal probe
• Black man shot in the mouth by Mississippi deputy to file federal civil rights lawsuit
• The Big Big News writer Emily Wagster Pettus contributed to this report
• Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division head Kristen Clarke’s statement on the incident