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Federal lawsuit alleges Lexington Police Department ‘terrorizes’ Black citizens

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Federal lawsuit alleges Lexington Police Department ‘terrorizes’ Black citizens

Black residents in a small Delta town have been subjected to excessive force, intimidation and false arrests by its police force for over a year, a federal lawsuit alleges.

JULIAN, a civil rights organization, is asking the court to issue a temporary restraining order against the Lexington Police Department to prevent mistreatment against residents. 

“It’s both unconscionable and illegal for Lexington residents to be terrorized and live in fear of the police department whose job is to protect them,” Jill Collen Jefferson, president and founder of JULIAN, said in a statement. 

Subjects of the lawsuit are the city, police department, Interim Police Chief Charles Henderson and former Chief Sam Dobbins. The lawsuit was filed Tuesday in the United States District Court for the Southern District of Mississippi. 

Lexington, which has a population of about 1,800 people, is 86% Black. It is located in one of the state’s poorest counties – Holmes County. 

The lawsuit says former chief Dobbins and interim chief have violated Black residents’ constitutional rights for over a year and continue to. That behavior has included retaliation against residents who speak out against police, false arrests, baseless vehicle searches and unreasonable force by police. 

Over 200 Black citizens formally or informally complained about treatment by Lexington police in the past year, according to the lawsuit. 

The lawsuit comes a month after an audio recording surfaced of Dobbins making racist and homophobic language and bragging about killing multiple people as a member of the police force. 

Robert Lee Hooker, a Black officer who resigned from the Lexington police department, recorded the conversation with Dobbins and gave it to JULIAN. The Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting first reported the recording.  

“Justified, bro’,” Dobbins said in the recording. “I shot that n—– 119 times, OK?”

“I don’t give a f— if you kill a motherf—er in cold blood,” he said in another portion of the recording. 

A day later, the Board of Aldermen fired Dobbins in a 3-2 vote and made Henderson the interim chief. 

When reached for comment about the lawsuit, Dobbins declined to comment to the Mississippi Center for Investigative Reporting Tuesday.

Five Black men who experienced retaliation, arrest and other mistreatment by Lexington police are plaintiffs in the lawsuit. 

Plaintiffs Robert and Darius Harris, who are brothers, were approached by officers on New Year’s Eve and threatened to arrest them for violating the city’s fireworks ordinance, according to the lawsuit. The men asked them to leave their home and verbally resisted the threats. 

Stills from cell phone footage accompany what happened next: Robert Harris raising his hand to ask police to stand down as his brother stands behind him. Darius Harris on the ground after an officer used a taser on him. Police, including Dobbins, shining a flashlight and trying to give Darius Harris commands while he is still being tased. Officers arresting Darius Harris as he lays on the ground. 

Plaintiffs are also asking the court to award the plaintiffs compensatory damages and punitive damages against Dobbins and Hendersen, attorneys fees and court costs. 

Community members have also expressed concern about Henderson’s appointment. In its statement, JULIAN said he is a protege of Dobbins and also has a troubling reputation. 

In the lawsuit, Henderson is accused of authorizing misconduct of Lexington police officers against Black residents. He has also used excessive force, including during an incident where he and a group of officers broke down the door of a 60-year-old woman’s home without a warrant, arrested her, hosed her down with a fire hose and left her outside during wintertime, according to the lawsuit. 

Lexington Mayor Robin McCrory, City Attorney Katherine Barrett Riley and Henderson were not immediately available for comment Wednesday. 

The organization has also contacted the U.S. Attorney’s Office and FBI to call for a federal investigation of systemic racism in both the city’s police department and municipal government as a whole. 

“The culture of Lexington is corrupt,” the lawsuit states.

This article first appeared on Mississippi Today and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.

Mississippi News

Death toll rises as fires spread

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www.wjtv.com – Will Conybeare – 2025-01-12 10:42:00

SUMMARY: Wildfires in Los Angeles have resulted in at least 16 deaths, with ongoing efforts to combat the flames as crews prepare for returning strong winds. The Eaton Fire has claimed 11 lives, while five fatalities are linked to the Palisades Fire. Several notable victims included a man defending his family’s home and a former child actor. Approximately 105,000 residents remain under mandatory evacuation, and over 12,000 structures have been damaged. The wildfires have burned over 37,000 acres combined and could lead to damages exceeding $150 billion, potentially marking the worst natural disaster in U.S. history, according to Governor Gavin Newsom.

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Fires continue into the weekend in Los Angeles

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www.wjtv.com – The Associated Press – 2025-01-11 09:56:00

SUMMARY: Wildfires have devastated parts of Los Angeles, with over 12,000 structures destroyed and at least 11 confirmed fatalities. Many residents, like Bridget Berg, returned to their neighborhoods to assess the destruction, finding only ashes of their homes. Firefighters gained control due to calmer winds, but the threat remains as new evacuations were ordered. Criticism arose over city leadership’s failure to ensure adequate firefighting resources. As recovery efforts begin, community efforts are underway to support those affected. Celebrities like Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are engaging in relief efforts, emphasizing the widespread impact on a diverse community.

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LIVE: Firefighters hope for a break from fierce winds in LA

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www.wjtv.com – Marc Sternfield – 2025-01-10 08:58:00

SUMMARY: Massive wildfires in Los Angeles have killed 10 people and destroyed over 10,000 structures, including homes, schools, and historic landmarks. Winds have fueled the blazes, with the largest fire in Pacific Palisades being the most destructive in LA’s history. As firefighters gain some containment, the threat remains with winds expected to intensify again. Over 180,000 people are under evacuation orders, and schools have closed due to smoke. California National Guard troops have been deployed to protect communities. The fires, exacerbated by climate change, are expected to extend the state’s already lengthening wildfire season. The damage is estimated at up to $150 billion.

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