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Embattled DA in Curtis Flowers case headed to runoff in circuit judge race

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Embattled DA in Curtis Flowers case headed to runoff in circuit judge race

Longtime prosecutor Doug Evans, known for Curtis Flowers six times for murder with convictions that were later overturned, is headed for a Nov. 29 runoff for a circuit court judge seat.

Evans earned the second-most votes Tuesday in five-person election and will face top vote-getter Winona Municipal Court Judge Alan โ€œDevoโ€ Lancaster because neither candidate garnered 50% of the vote.

The 5th Circuit Court district includes Attala, Carroll, Choctaw, Montgomery, Grenada, Webster and Winston counties. The winner will succeed Judge George Mitchell, who died in April.

As a circuit court judge, Evans could hear criminal cases in the same district where the said he prevented Black people from serving as jurors, including in Flowers’ case.ย 

Evans, who has been the district attorney of the district for over 30 years, first tried Flowers in 1997 for the killings of four people at the Tardy Furniture store in Winona.ย 

Evans secured four penalty convictions for Flowers, but those were overturned by state and federal courts. In two trials, a jury didn’t reach a unanimous verdict.ย 

READ MORE: Curtis Flowers files federal lawsuit against Mississippi DA Doug Evans for misconduct in wrongful prosecution

The U.S Supreme Court overturned Flowers’ conviction in 2019, ruling Evans barred Black jurors in the case.ย 

Evans recused himself after the Mississippi Center for Justice, which represented Flowers, asked for him to be from the case. Lynn Fitch was appointed as the prosecutor.

In September 2020, Fitch’s office dropped charges against Flowers after he spent 23 years in prison, most of it on death row at the at Parchman.ย 

In 2021, Flowers sued Evans in federal court for misconduct, which Evans has denied. U.S. District Court Judge Neal Biggers Jr. ordered the case stayed until May 1, 2023.

Other candidates in the 5th District Circuit Court race were Ackerman attorney Kasey Burney Young, Kosciusko attorney Doug Crosby and Louisville attorney Zachary .ย 

Lancaster is a partner at the Lancaster Taylor Firm in Winona. He has been a municipal judge in Winona since 2010 and attorney for Montgomery County Economic Development since 1986.ย 

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

Mississippi News

Danver’s celebrates forty seven years of continued success

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www.wcbi.com – Allie Martin – 2024-11-01 19:01:00

SUMMARY: Danver’s restaurant in , Mississippi, recently celebrated its 47th anniversary, maintaining a loyal customer base since its opening in 1977. General Larry Wade, who started as a cook, emphasized the restaurant’s focus on consistency, quality, and customer service. Despite economic challenges, Danver’s has thrived due to its enduring values and community connections, which patrons appreciate. Regular customers, like Tom Robinson, value the reasonable prices and consistent quality. The restaurant aims to continue this legacy, looking forward to its 50th anniversary in three years as it remains a cherished community staple.

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Mississippi News

Creator Studio at MUW expands opportunities for students

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www.wcbi.com – Grace Brister – 2024-11-01 18:57:00

SUMMARY: The new Creator Studio at the Mississippi for Women aims to enhance student creativity by providing a dedicated for production, podcasting, and audio work. Located in Fant Memorial Library, the studio offers essential equipment and software, lighting, microphones, and green screens. Dr. Bary Smith emphasizes that it enables from various majors to bring their ideas to without the burden of investing in expensive gear. Students can reserve the studio for projects, fostering valuable skills applicable across industries, particularly in effective communication and branding. Reservations can be made online or through the library.

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Mississippi News

New month same temperatures

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www.wcbi.com – Ashleigh Bryant – 2024-11-01 17:33:00

SUMMARY: COLUMBUS, Mississippi will experience a return to warmer weather after a brief dip, with highs in the 80s over the next few days. Friday night will be humid, dropping to the low 60s, with possible patchy fog. Saturday will be mostly cloudy but rain chances are reduced, while Sunday will see a mix of clouds and sunshine, with lows in the 60s. Next starts dry with temperatures in the upper 70s to middle 80s; however, scattered showers are possible on Election Day Tuesday, so should prepare with rain gear.

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