An 18-year-old suspect in a Jackson murder case died in his jail cell Friday morning, according to the Hinds County Sheriff’s Office.
Mielun Butler was found unresponsive in his cell and was transported to Merit Health hospital near Interstate 20, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival, the sheriff’s office said. The cause of death appears to be an assault, but authorities are investigating.
Butler was booked Wednesday on a murder charge related to a June 13 shooting on Rebel Woods Drive. He is accused of shooting and killing 32-year-old Melvin Edwards. Jackson police also allege that 22-year-old Cameron Mitchell acted as an accomplice.
Butler appeared in court Thursday and was assigned a $1 million bond. Social media videos circulating online seemingly suggested Butler was killed in retaliation for Edwards’ death, but the sheriff’s office did not comment on the post’s content.
The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is now handling the case and conducting an assessment of the circumstances surrounding Butler’s death.
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
