The families of four men who died or were allegedly beaten during encounters with Mississippi law enforcement gathered outside the state attorney general’s office Thursday to demand access to videos and records they say have been withheld for years.
According to the families, officials have blocked their requests for police footage and key records for up to three years, leaving them with unanswered questions. The cases include Dexter Wade, 37, who was struck and killed by an off-duty officer driving a Jackson Police Department SUV in March. His death drew national attention after the department buried him in an unmarked grave and notified his family five months later.
Other cases involve Jason Simmons, 40, shot and killed by Harrison County deputies in June during a mental health crisis, and Jayden Bridges, 22, who died in a car crash after a police chase last year. Raju Brandon Neapollioun, now disabled from traumatic brain injuries, was allegedly beaten by a deputy while in custody at Forrest County Detention Center, according to a civil suit that was dismissed.
Attorney Bobby DiCello, representing the families, said Mississippi law broadly allows public access to records, but officials have repeatedly denied requests citing ongoing investigations. “Let it into the light,” DiCello said. “If the video shows things that are bad, inhuman, or wrong, let it be known.”
Unlike some states, Mississippi does not make exceptions for videos involving victims’ relatives, and officials can reject requests if they believe disclosure could harm investigations. The families argue that transparency is essential for accountability and closure.
In the case of Simmons, his family criticized law enforcement for not releasing footage of the shooting, which occurred after officers responded to a mental health call. They described the incident as a tragic case of miscommunication and want answers about why their son was shot multiple times. Similarly, Bridges’ family seeks dashcam footage from a police chase that ended with his death, but their requests have gone unanswered.
The families called for reforms to Mississippi’s public records laws, emphasizing their right to access information under state law. They hope transparency will prevent future incidents from being hidden behind closed doors and provide closure for grieving families.
Mississippi law mandates the review of police-involved shootings by the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, which shares findings with the attorney general’s office. However, families continue to face barriers in accessing the evidence they believe would clarify the circumstances of their loved ones’ deaths or injuries.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
