We need your support for a 16 year old Black boy who has been incarcerated without indictment in an adult jail in Durant, Mississippi, since February 2019;  more than 500 days. 

William was first arrested in 2018 at the age of 14.  He was transferred to adult court and then released on bail.  While out on bail he was arrested again and has since been incarcerated with adult men in the Holmes County Jail.  This is a clear violation of federal law.  When he was first detained he was pepper sprayed, along with everyone on his zone, after being slapped by an older incarcerated male.  His mother was eventually successful in having him moved to an area which also housed a few late teen and twenty-something year old men.

William was receiving disability in the 8th grade when he was first arrested in 2018, and has been denied special education services since his incarceration over two years ago.  His current, daily activities include sleeping and watching television.  Additionally, because of the coronavirus pandemic, his mother can no longer visit him for 30 minutes twice a month.  William’s only connection to the outside world is through irregular, weekend telephone calls.

William’s mother discontinued the services of a local public defender, who has since committed suicide.  William's current Attorney has filed both a Habeaus Petition (March 2020) and Motion for Bond (May 2020) and a Motion for Speedy Trial (May 2020).  All of these motions were denied by the judge on the case without prejudice.

During the hearing in May, a Durant Deputy testified that investigations into both of William’s cases have been delayed due to “staff turnover.” 

DA Akillie Malone Oliver & Sheriff Willie March need to remedy this tragedy by releasing William today. 

As of July 17, 2020, William has been detained without indictment for over 500 days.#BlackLivesMatterEvenBehindBars