Mississippi Justice:
Does the State always get it right?
Mississippi’s rush to unalive
On June 25, 2025, Mississippi murdered Richard Jordan, a man whose execution should have sparked a conversation about fairness, justice, and the irreversible nature of capital punishment. He lived within MDOC for the better part 49/50 years, and over 40 of those years he was stuck in a steel cage in solitary confinement. This day has arrived once again, and the Mississippi State Supreme Court has scheduled a killing date for Charles Crawford, who has served over three decades, with two-plus decades inside a steel cage in solitary confinement. After decades of rotting away from young men ages of 20 to become old men of 60,and 70 facing unimaginable suffering. When Mississippi sets a date for spectacle. The crucifixion on the cross moves swiftly , without sufficient scrutiny.
The State’s preparation to execute another man, another Human within a mere three-month span from the last execution, only illustrates a system operating with alarming haste. It begs the question: Are we truly exercising justice, or are we perpetuating a cycle of violence? Each killing by the State of Mississippi is a life snatched from existence, a soul unalived.
Mississippi has a dark and troubling history concerning its legal judgments. Three men, Curtis Flowers, Eddie Howard, and Sherwood Brown, were exonerated between 2017-2021, after spending decades in prison for crimes they did not commit. Their stories conjure up ghosts from a haunted past filled with imperfections and miscalculations.
With monumental errors of this magnitude, should Mississippi persist in executing individuals? Retribution administered with a desire for Revenge carries a heavy weight of stolen human life.
We must confront this reality. The death penalty should not be an option without rigorous investigation of individual cases and reform that corrects and eliminates those processes found to be flawed . Mississippi must perform a thorough examination of its criminal justice policies and practices. Wrongful conviction remains a stark reminder that we need to be vigilantly aware of our protections for life. Not hastily blind in purpose and cause to unalive it.
I will finish on this note. Mississippi must redefine justice, reform its practices, and consider an alternative path. The death penalty should not be a default answer to violence but a topic for serious introspection and ethical questioning.Mississippi must pause and reflect on its actions and their implications.
Thank you.
Joesph Patri Brown
Charles Crawford’s legal team are working hard for a ‘Stay of Execution’ in order for a review of his case to take place.
Below are copies of their filings which we received from his team. Their press release update can be found on our News page.
Filed – Crawford Cert Petition
20251001153738434_Crawford Application for Stay of Execution
Devin Bennett – ‘Injustice, not justice’
It is truly sad when injustice, corruption and evils which are behind it, have become such a common occurrence in our legal system that we accept it as ” well, that’s just the way it is. ” It truly grieves me when I here individuals say, ” Our justice system isn’t perfect but it works.”
We all understand our justice system can never be perfect, as it is made up of imperfect people. However, what we cannot understand, and what we must not accept, is when the remedies set in place to access, and correct inevitable mistakes, and unfortunately, the willful, unethical and immoral acts, committed by some of these imperfect people, are being removed and or arbitrarily ignored.
The state of man is growing increasingly wicked. We can see this by the inevitable result of corruption we see in the world. What we see in this world, specifically , America, is but the effect of the cause, which is the evil in the heart of man.
As a result, when a prosecutor, defense attorney, or any person who holds an official position in the justice system, violate the ethical and moral standard set , it is the accused who suffers, and in death penalty cases that suffering can and will prove fatal.
Many of these problems, although at the core they are moral and ethical, they are very much political. To be clear here, I’m not talking about mistakes that are made , although mistakes that are the result of indifference do qualify. I’m talking about the agenda of these officials, the prosecutors, politicians, and police.
Without question, much of what we see are due to these individuals trying to advance, or protect, their political aspirations. When your desire for prestige, position or power requires that you to compromise the principles you swore to keep, you have in fact become the problem.
We must accept that a lot of what is wrong with the justice system is found in the individuals who make up this system. A system is only as good as the individuals who run it. This “good ol boy” mentality and system here in the South has to stop.
How many of you have heard about the Curtis Flowers case? This is an accurate representation of the issues in Mississippi. Let me be clear, The Curtis Flowers case, although one case, is a vivid depiction of the prejudice and corruption that can be seen in Mississippi.
“It’s About Time”…. For the past 30 years, the air I’ve breathed has been tense and the road I’ve traveled has been full of speed bumps and potholes.
Every petition and appeal I’ve filed has been denied by one Appellate Court or another. And while I’ve been waiting, I’ve seen men on Death Row get lethal injection, get resentenced to life with or without parole, and a few get exonerated. There have been some things to celebrate but more to cry about. I’ve scratched my head at the debauchery of a legal system we have not only in MS but across the USA.
But God in His own magnificent way has held me in the palms of His mighty hands and He has kept me safe, strong, and steady as I’ve traveled on all the bumpy roads.
In September of 2024, I received a favourable ruling in Federal Court. It was my first since I came to Death Row in 1995. I was granted access to test DNA and run it along with fingerprints through the national database. All of a sudden, nobody seems to know where it is.
My attorneys filed a petition to the courts in January of 2025 asking the courts to grant us a Discovery Hearing or make the state of MS show cause. On September 30th, the federal judge again ruled in my favor by granting me a limited Discovery Hearing…. United States District Court –Southern District of MS—Northern Division—–Civil Action No. 3:06-Cv-273-DPJ. In all the years I’ve been fighting, these two rulings are the only favourable ones and I thank God. I’m looking forward to more in the near future and I’m hoping to be exonerated as well.
God bless you all and keep me in your thoughts and prayers…. Much love!
Justin Underwood
This series of posts come from Charles Ray Crawford, who goes by Chuck. Chuck was born and raised in Mississippi and is scheduled to be executed by that state on October 15. In this series of five posts, he reflects on his childhood, his faith that has gotten him through more than thirty years on death row, some of the evidence in his case that troubles the prosecutors’ narrative, and his experiences trying to convince his lawyers to pay attention to that evidence.
To sign a petition to stop Chuck’s execution and give him the chance to have a fair trial, visit the death penalty action website, here.
Working for A Living
When the Superintendent came to tell me that my execution date had been set, I asked for three things:
Don’t lock me down;
Don’t move me to another cell;
Don’t take my job.
The date they’ve set is October 15th. Normally when it gets close like this, they put you in an observation cell. If you’re not already in one, they’ll put you in front of the tower. Watching you. And they basically lock you down.
I’ll be seeing the Superintendent and the Deputy Superintendent numerous times between now and the 15th. They have to notify me of the means of execution I’m going to go through. Friday they had to bring the death warrant. They’ve got to do it. I understand it’s part of the law. I’m just thankful to God it’s this superintendent. As soon as I walked into the office he stood up, hugged me, told me he loved me, and said we’ll get through all of this together. The man has a good heart. He cares. I don’t think he’s putting on an act. When you go from someone who’s hateful and wants to make you suffer every day of your life to a man like this running this prison — you can’t imagine what a big change that is. This superintendent and the people working closest to him, they treat us like human beings.
When my sister found out about my date, she asked if I was scared. Anyone who goes through this and says they aren’t scared, they’re lying. But after I close my eyes for the last time, when I open them again, I know where I’m gonna be—in heaven. I’ve known that for a long time. But that doesn’t mean I’m not angry.
Devin Bennett ‘Injustice, not Justice’ – continued……
In 1996 the Anti EffectiveTerrorism Death Penalty Act was born. The objective of this Act was to limit Federal oversight into State proceedings. As a result the United States Supreme Court ruled that for states to opt into the Act , thus benefiting from it, there were certain requirements they must meet.
These requirements were an acknowledgement that with the absence of Federal oversight of state courts there would be a greater level of responsibility on the state courts, as well as the attorneys who represent death penalty offenders in those courts.
The states had to provide indigent death penalty offenders with effective counsel. Hence the Capital Post- Conviction office was enacted. In addition to this the Legislature also heightened the qualifications for Post-Conviction Counsel.
In doing this the Legislature established four things:
1)They agreed with the need for effective counsel.
2)They outlined the standard for what effective counsel is.
3)They proved they understood the intent of the Legislation was for Ineffective Assistance of Counsel claims.
4) They provided a reasonable expectation for all offenders being represented that counsel would do there job and if not there would be accountability.
This runs contrary to the 2024 opinion in Ronk. V. State , where the Mississippi Supreme court not only ignored these points, but, basically erased 25 yeas of law.
There are several problems with the opinion and order in the Ronk case. All of which prove thee Mississippi Supreme court is acting arbitrarily and indifferent to well established law and rights.
First , in the Ronk opinion the Court States that ” the Grayson court exceeded its bounds by judicially crafting an exception to the UPCCRA’S substantive , constitutional bars.”
The problem with this is this is not an intervening decision. Even tho they attempt to treat it as one for their own agenda stating ” After Grayson , the State says it is now the “modus operandi of Mississippi.”
What I find convenient is that every case the Mississippi Supreme Court sites in Ronk v State attempting to defend their position is prior to the Anti Terrorism Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996.
Let’s take this a step further. In the Jackson v. State opinion Justice Mills concurred with the majority stating ,” such a post trial right ….is constitutionally nonexistent “.
The majority in Ronk v.State allege the an indigent death row prisoners right to post conviction counsel is based on MS. Code Section 99-15-15 (which states that, the accused shall have representation available at every critical stage of the proceedings against him where substantial eights may be affected.)
While this is accurate it is nor complete. Remember, when the United States Supreme Court ruled that states who desire to benefit from the Anti Terrorism Effective Death Penalty Act must do certain things. What is important is why in light of this Act did the High Court rule that if states are going to use this Act they must provide component counsel? Its because the High Court understood that by removing the Federal oversight there would be less accountability for the state courts, and therefore less room for ineffective counsel.
Through the ruling in Ronk the Mississippi Supreme court has completely removed death penalty prisoners ability to hold counsel to the very standards and expectation the Legislature has set upon them.
Jackson, Puckett, and Grayson are all rulings that rest on the decision made by the state of Mississippi, and the Legislature, to enact the Capital Post-Conviction office, heighten the qualifications for death penalty counsel, and ultimately benefit from the Anti Terrorism Effective Death Penalty Act. You can’t have it both ways Mississippi. If your going to remove oversight, despite having established a heightened standard of practice and expectation of death penalty counsel in state court, then you must allow death penalty prisoners the opportunity to hold those attorney’s accountable. If these attorneys cannot be held accountable, why establish an expectation of performance?
The right to effective assistance of counsel is not a Grayson right. The intervening opinion that gave indigent death penalty prisoners the right to hold these attorneys accountable by filing an ineffective assistance of counsel claim on Post-Conviction counsel was set in Jackson v. State in 1999. The Mississippi Supreme court stated “…today we make clear that Post-Conviction petitioners who are under a sentence of death do have right to the effective assistance of Post-Conviction counsel” (Jackson V. State, 732 so. 2d 187 (Miss. 1999) see also Puckett v. State MISS. 2002) Grayson is not a new judicially crafted exception. In fact, the substantive part of Grayson ie. Post conviction petitioners who are under a sentence of death do have a right to effective assistance of counsel is founded on Jackson and Puckett. We know this because it was, in part , due to these cases that the Court not only stated the need for effective assistance of counsel in Post-Conviction but, they established it by enacting the Capital Post conviction office. By providing the remedy they acknowledged the need, and in that the Court established the right.
To deny indigent death penalty prisoners a right to effective assistance of counsel is to say that the enacting of the Capital Post conviction office was all for show, that the standards and expectation of post conviction counsel set is meaningless, and that the state of Mississippi only enacted that office to satisfy the demand of the High Court so they could benefit from the Anti Terrorism Effective Death Penalty act, ultimately removing Federal oversight and allowing the Mississippi Supreme Court to do whatever they want. Which is exactly what they are doing.
Update: Justin Underwood
Following the denial of multiple hearings, finally the Judge rules in Justin Underwood’s favour.
There will be a hearing on the 8th december when J’s lawyers will request the DNA evidence that the Judge agrees Justin should see.
He will attend court in person due to his impeccable behaviour and good character.
Update: Stephen Elliot Powers
January 2026:
SCOTUS denies petition to review case of Mississippi death row inmate
The Supreme Court of the United States denied on Monday, Jan. 26, a request to review the case of a Mississippi death row inmate who killed a woman during an attempted rape.
Stephen Elliot Powers, now 56, was sentenced to death in December 2000 for the June 1998 death and attempted rape of 27-year-old Elizabeth “Beth” Lafferty at her home in Hattiesburg. Lafferty was shot 5 times — 3 shots at close range to the back of her head, o1 under her chin and 1 in her temple.
In a petition filed in October 2025, counsel for Powers argued the government “actively concealed” exculpatory evidence in his case until 2023.
According to the petition, when Powers suspected that, the state “instructed a locality and the Mississippi Forensics Laboratory not to provide Powers with any evidence.” That prompted Powers to file a motion to compel, which was granted in part.
Powers argues the exculpatory evidence points to “an alternate, original suspect with a close nexus to the victim,” adding that previously undisclosed documents show the “victim’s ex-boyfriend was the original and only suspect in the murder.”
“Additionally, a witness reported last seeing the victim ‘with a thin white male.’ Powers is a Black male, but the victim’s ex-boyfriend matches the description of a thin white male,'” the petition states
Once Powers received the exculpatory material, he filed a motion for relief with the Mississippi Supreme Court. His counsel stated the state’s supreme court dismissed the petition “without addressing whether the materials had been suppressed or without a determination as to whether Powers was at fault for not presenting the claim earlier.”
In a response filed Dec. 22, 2025, by Attorney General Lynn Fitch’s Office, the state contended that Lafferty’s ex-boyfriend was not further investigated as a suspect after Powers was identified as the last person seen with Lafferty alive, confessed to the murder and led officers to the murder weapon.
Powers has not denied killing Lafferty but claims the 2 “struggled with the gun, and the gun went off,” while Lafferty was “‘playing’ around with him.”
The state further contended that the ex-boyfriend had an alibi at the time of Lafferty’s murder.
According to the state, the document mentioning the 2nd suspect was a part of a patrol officer’s incident report, which at trial “would not have put the whole case in such a different light as to undermine confidence in the verdict.”
“This case does not warrant further review,” the state’s response said.
Beth Lafferty’s parents, Mike and Diane Lafferty, previously told the Clarion Ledger in 2019 they would never get over their daughter’s brutal death and would continue to fight for justice and the death penalty.
(source: Mississippi Clarion Ledger)
February 2026:
‘Detail and Procedure Matter – Or Do They?’
When a crime is committed the police, the State, the prosecutors, the lawyers all have their assigned duties and procedures to follow. Adherence to policy is vital – it can mean the difference between a conviction and an aquittal. So what happens when policy is not followed and a conviction still takes place?
It is hard to find solid data showing how much violent crime is attributable to people suffering mental health illness. Many people in the criminal justice system have a mental health diagnosis or exist with the symptoms but this does not mean their mental illness caused their violent crime – substance abuse and social disadvantage are frequently apparent too.
Let’s use the tragic, recent ‘Reiner’ family case as an example. Nick Reiner stands charged with the first degree murders of his parents, Rob and Michelle Reiner on 14th december 2025. He did not enter a plea to these charges during a brief court appearance. His attorney, Alan Jackson, said afterwards that he belived his former client was innocent.
That is an opinion that will only be confirmed following a routine, procedural mental health evaluation. This implies that Alan Jackson believes that Nick Reiner has a mental health problem that will likely mean that he is not culpable for the deaths of his parents. Given the circumstances of his parents deaths this is hard to accept.
But the law is the law, or is it? Surely the law is only the law when strict procedure and protocol are followed?
And note that Alan Jackson is now his ‘former’ lawyer. There has been a lot of speculation as to why Alan Jackson is no longer representing Nick Reiner. The most likely reason is ‘Mr Green did not show up’ – lawyer slang for a client not having budget.
There is a case in Mississippi that has a procedural issue within a Death Row conviction. The case is hard to comprehend, involves violence and multiple deaths. It garnered much attention in 2017. A man went on a killing spree and ended the lives of one law enforcement officer and seven members of his family. No psychological evaluation was carried out on this man prior to sentencing. A procedural error. Yet Willie Corey Godbolt was sentenced to death.
Some feel this death sentence should be vacated due to procedural error. Many of course believe the incarceration should remain, with or without the death sentence. The US Supreme Court ruled on Godbolt’s case on April 29th 2025. They declined to review a Mississippi Death Row prisoner’s conviction for the slaying of 8 people, including his mother-in-law and a Deputy Sheriff in 2017. Willie C Godbolt had filed a handwritten petition seeking the High Court’s review of a decision made by the Mississippi Supreme Court affirming his convictions and death sentences. In his petition to the US Supreme Court he claimed and ineffective defense and illegal search, among other violations. The justices don’t typically explain their decision to deny review and did not say why they rejected Godbolt’s case.
The moral of the story? Procedure may or may not be followed. When facing a death sentence in Mississippi your lawyer really is the difference between life and death.
Feb 2026
Willie Corey Godbolt
Devin Bennett – SBS Filings:
At the very least Devin Bennett deserves an evidentiary hearing. Devin did not harm his son Brandon and is supported in that by Brandon’s mother and her family. The State of MS has sentenced people to death who have later been exonerated of any wrong doing – they make mistakes. Devin has suffered enough.
Here is the latest on Devin Bennett’s legal fight for justice, with thanks to Krissy Nobile, Director of the MS Office of Capital Post-Conviction Counsel
A Mississippi death penalty jury was seated. With one Black juror.
The U.S. Supreme Court will hear an appeal from death row inmate Terry Pitchford, who was denied relief by the Mississippi Supreme Court after his attorneys claimed Black people were illegally struck from his jury.
Read the full story HERE
“Where’s The Justice?”
By: Justin H. Underwood………
On the morning of December 8, 2025, I traveled from the MS State Penitentiary in Parchman, MS to Federal Court in Jackson, MS.
It was a beautiful day to behold as I took in the scenery all down highway 49 south. It was a day I’d been looking forward to for many, many years.
Chief Justice Daniel P. Jordan III had already ruled on my behalf in September 2024 dealing with DNA……Underwood v. Epps et al, no.3:2006 cv00273-Document 140(S.D.Miss.2024) and now I was looking for more.
As I sat in court surrounded by family, by friends, by loved ones, and a dream team of attorneys, I listened intently as legal verbiage spewed all along the walls of the massive courtroom. The judge asked questions as both my attorneys (White & Case) and the assistant attorney general (LaDonna Holland) answered them.
At the end of the day, my motion for reconsideration for gun testing was granted. I left court that day thankful to God for watching over me and grateful to God for His blessed hand protecting me.
Sadly though, it’s March 2026 and the MS forensics laboratory (MS crime lab) has still refused to turn over the evidence even though they were ordered by a Federal judge. As only MS can be, their defiance is causing more delays as I’ve already been fighting for my life for the past 32 years.
Where’s the justice?
In the interest of justice, you would think the state of MS would want to prove without a doubt that they have the right person.
I, on the other hand, know they’ve made a grave mistake and so I’ll keep fighting to prove my innocence.
God has got my back and none of these methods formed against me will prosper…….
God bless!
Devin Bennett, we are very pleased for these small, but significant, updates.
In his own words:
“The Federal Court granted my motion to stay my federal habeas proceedings and allow me to pursue my claims in the Mississippi Supreme Court.
I also learned the Mississippi Supreme Court granted my motion to amend.
Most, if not all, motions like this they have been waiving as procedural bars. Not only did they grant it but they ordered the state to respond specifically addressing the merits of the evidence.’
Judge overturns Mississippi death penalty case, says racial bias in picking jury wasn’t fully argued.
Read More here:
‘The Law is an ass’ – Kelvin LaShawn Jordan, by Editor Liz McCann
‘I WANT TO GO HOME’
This is the story of Kelvin LaShawn Jordan, born on Christmas Day in 1976. It is a story of
neglect and systemic failure. I have been talking on videocall with ‘KJ’ and he is adamant
that his story be told. The first words that KJ ever spoke to me have become the title of this
project, a story that needs to be told so that one day, when decent people get elected they
might realise the huge failings in social care and mental health problems. They will recognise
that too many fall through the gaps and lives are blighted for generations in families.
Addiction becomes normalised, along with violence, terrible housing, poverty, lack of medical
care and infrequent access to education. KJ’s childhood contains all of that, and more.
KJ was born on the backseat of a car on the roadside in Jasper County, the deep south of
Mississippi state. He says his mother told him he was “born dead” – he was not breathing
when born and whilst the hospital he was rushed to managed to revive him he was only give
a few years to live. KJ is now 48 years old and has lived longer incarcerated than free. Sadly
his traumatic birth left him with permanent damage and he has learning difficulties and has
since developed seizures. KJ grew up in the woods in a shack for a house in Pachuta. The
home did not have a bathroom and had gaps in the floorboards big enough for a small child
to fall through. His mother could not afford to keep the electricity running so they often lived
in darkness.
KJ only recalls meeting his father one time at a relative’s house when his father asked him to
fetch a beer. His older brother, Michael, spent years in and out of prison and was killed in
2012 due to gang related violence. KJ dropped out of school early. When he reached his
ninth birthday his mother married and KJ lived with her and her husband Albert in a trailer.
Albert had a family carpentry business with a store in front of the trailer. Quality of life
improved for KJ, they had a bathroom and food on the table. Sadly, it was not to last and
within 3 years KJ and his mum were back living in Pachuta in the house with no bathroom
and this was devastating for both of them. Frontrell Edwards, KJ’s cousin, was living with his
mum – KJ’s aunt – in a trailer next door. KJ was impressionable and easily lead and his
cousin Frontrell, made the absolute most of it. Frontrell was already displaying signs of being
disturbed from a young age and had spent time in a mental health facility. KJ recalls two
terrible incidences; Frontrell had captured a local dog, tied it up in a tree and set it on fire. He
also abused a horse sexually and the horse later died. He was wildly out of control and his
mother was unable and unwilling to curtail him.
In December 1997, aged just 19, KJ was convicted on two counts of capital murder for the
1995 deaths of Tony Roberts and his 2 year old son, Codera Bradley. He was sentenced to
death. Whilst he admitted from the start being at the scene he did not participate in any
violence. Mississippi state law deems any person who is an accessory to a felony as a
primary perpetrator. Frontrell was also sentenced to death but his fortune was to change.
That night in December 1997 both Frontrell and KJ were hoping to attend a football match
but had no transport. They stopped Tony Roberts outside a local store and asked him for a
ride. Tony had his young son Codera with him. Tony agreed and KJ sat in the front of the car
with Frontrell sitting behind the driving seat. Codera was on his father’s lap. KJ recalls Tony
stopping the car in a secluded lane before they had reached the football game and saying
that was as far as he was prepared to take the lads. KJ was about to exit the car when all of
a sudden he heard a gunshot. He froze in his seat and KJ saw that blood was running down
Tony’s face onto his hand where he was clasping his head behind his ear. It seems that Tony
thought this was a car jacking as KJ heard him say, “y’all coulda just taken the car” – at that
point Frontrell kicked the driver’s seat in front of him and Tony fell out of the car. Codera fell
onto the floor of the car under the steering wheel. Frontrell exited the car with his .22 pistol.
KJ recalls being shocked and terrified, he was frightened by Frontrell at the best of times. He
asked Frontrell why he had shot Tony. KJ suggested that the now crying Codera be taken to
a house up the road and was left with the lady that lived there. Frontrell disagreed and
replied by saying that the kid might recognise him. Frontrell committed the second shooting
of the evening.
Five days later both KJ and Frontrell were arrested. Both were sentenced to death, however
later Frontrell Edwards was resentenced to life. KJ remains on Death Row in Mississippi.
It would be hard to find a child who grew up in a more resource deficient family than Kelvin
Jordan. He never knew anything other than extreme poverty and was neglected terribly by
his mother who failed to care for him and guide him. To this day she remains distant from
him and they have little contact. KJ has also never been visited by any other family members
since he was incarcerated. He has spoken very rarely about his plight, a lady who wrote
previously about him has since passed away. I am honoured that he consented to talk with
me and we have spoken for many hours getting to know each other. I have close friendships
with many folk on Death Row, KJ’s story is one that really needs to be heard.
Timothy Ronk – #0141817 Mississippi Death Row
Tim is known as ‘Jersey’ in the prison. He is a friendly and likeable guy, cheery and chatty. I
always enjoy our videocalls, I do however sense a lot of sadness in him at times.
In 2008 Tim was convicted of capital murder and armed robbery for the stabbing death of
Michelle Craite and for arson relating to where she resided. He was sentenced to death and
thirty years respectively. Tim sought post- conviction relief raising five claims, he was denied
all by the Supreme Court.
Tim’s Defence Attorney was Eric Geiss and he told the jury that a chemical imbalance is to
blame for the long history of rash and impulsive behaviour. Prosecutors however urged the
jury not to allow the defendant to use as a crutch a bad childhood and a diagnosis of Bi-
Polar Disorder at age 13. It is, of course, inconceivable that Tim’s childhood would not
impact his adult life. Trauma experienced at a young age is frequently revealed by poor
decision making, addiction and a chaotic lifestyle in early adulthood.
Tim’s childhood was very troubled. He was adopted at just a few days old and has a younger
adopted sister. He was raised in New Jersey – hence the nickname ‘Jersey’ – however his
biological family are from Jackson, Mississippi. At five years old his adopted mother told him
that she thought she had made a big mistake adopting him. Tim exhibited troubling and
difficult behaviour and was diagnosed with both Bi-Polar disorder and ADHD at 13 years old.
By the age of 18 Tim was addicted to alcohol, snorting heroin and had made a serious
suicide attempt.
Tim decided that he would like to trace his biological family and went ahead with the blessing
of his adopted mother. He located his mother in MS and a visit was planned. They were met
at the door of the grandparents house and I sense that the moment caused Tim emotional
discomfort and he was overwhelmed. Tim was told by his biological mother that he was a
product of rape. This was devastating to him, he had already been told by his adopted
mother that she regretted the adoption of him. His mental health spiralled and Tim was now
in and out of rehabilitation centres. Tim did discover that the story about him being a baby
following a rape was untrue and that his birth mother had said that to excuse her pregnancy.
At trial, Eric Geiss, Ronk’s trial lawyer, put a Doctor on the stand who told the court that she
was not qualified to make a mitigation study but was allowed to testify to mitigation. No
mitigating evidence was ever presented at trial and Tim’s adopted parents were never
spoken to about his life with them.
The jury, made up of 7 women and 5 men, convicted him unanimously. Tim has not had
contact with anybody in his biological family since he was sentenced to death.
03/26/2026
Willie Godbolt has filed a petition for post-conviction relief with the Mississippi Supreme Court.
To read more please click on the link below:
STATEMENT REGARDING TERRY PITCHFORD, DEATH ROW, MS.
The Supreme Court today ruled in favour of a black man who has spent 22 years on Death Row, Mississippi.
Terry Pitchford was sentenced to death in the murder / robbery of a shopkeeper, accused of being an accomplice. It was Terry’s friend who fatally shot the shop owner, Reuben Britt.
This ruling upholds the lower court’s decision to vacate his conviction due to potential racial bias in jury selection. This is not the first time the high court has thrown out a capital case where the Mississippi prosecutor – Doug Evans – has faced accusations of excluding black jurors. Only one of the 12 jurors was Black.
This ruling news is a great thing for the State of Mississippi because it highlights the fact that now is the time for MS politicians and legal professionals to come together and take a stand in the name of justice. It also calls out the need for Mississippians as citizens to make their voice heard as they take a stand for what has clearly been an injustice within our State. We cannot and we should not be turning a blind eye and deaf ear to what this case and cases before it represent. It represents the clear fact that MS must reform capital punishment and tone down the rush to place revenge over justice.
News Update – Tony Clark case:
Statement from Krissy Nobile, Director of Post Capital Convictions:
“We are disappointed in the certiorari denial at this stage, but we appreciate the dissent’s recognition that Mississippi has been applying a “problematic standard” under Batson v. Kentucky.
Tony will receive a hearing on his intellectual disability soon, which should mean his death sentence is unconstitutional.”