A white teenager is on trial in Mississippi for killing a black man, in what authorities are deeming a hate crime, as reported by the Huffington Post.
The man, D.D., 19, standing accused of running down C.A., 49, with a truck, has pleaded not guilty to capital murder. Judge Jeff Weill heard his plea in Hinds County Circuit court.
On January 9 the case is set to go to trial. Prosecutors were told that they must inform the court, by November 1, if they plan on seeking the death penalty against the defendant.
The alleged murder occurred on June 26 for which D.D. is being held without bond.
D.D. wore a navy blue jumpsuit in court and was shackled at the waist. In an appearance that took less than five minutes, D.D. only said two words, and that was in response to Weill asking him for his plea.
"Not guilty." D.D. replied to the judge.
Just as silent were the nine supporters and relatives of D.D.'s that sat in the courtroom's first row, they also refrained from comment as they exited.
D.D. is facing a charge of capital murder – he was originally charged with murder – as investigators discovered that the victim was robbed before he was killed.
A charge of capital murder is warranted if a murder victim was also the victim of any other felonious act. Capital murder also is punishable by death, or life in prison without the opportunity for parole.
The victim's family, in claiming respect to their religious beliefs, has stated that they don't want anyone to face an execution.
Robert Shuler Smith, the Hinds County District Attorney, has yet to decide if he will seek a death penalty. He said, "That is something that we will strongly consider, what the family has requested, and we will make the decision by the appropriate deadline."
Harsher sentences are allowable, under Mississippi law, for hate crimes. Both the FBI and Smith are in the midst of their investigation to determine if D.D.'s crime falls into that category.
Weill, in denying a gag order request made by one of D.D.'s attorneys, has asked all litigators to refrain from any and all pretrial publicity.
The incident occurred when seven partying teenagers – all white – heard D.D. suggest that they go "mess with" a black man.
The victim's family has filed a wrongful death suit against all seven of the teenagers involved. The family is also looking to find out the facts of the evening's events.
The suit states that four men approached the victim in a parking lot, surrounded him, and then attacked him. Others, not directly involved in the attack, either acted as lookouts or provided "cooperation and encouragement."
The suit claims that during the incident one of the teenagers yelled out "white power!"
Being accused of murder, coupled with another felony, can, in some states, warrant a charge of capital murder. Contact a criminal defense attorneyto best handle your case and the ramifications of your charges.
