Monday, March 31, 2014

Woman on Mississippi's death row gets new trial - MiamiHerald

The Associated Press



A death row inmate who prosecutors say recruited her son in a plot to kill her husband will get a new trial, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled Monday in a rare order for a prisoner awaiting execution.


Michelle Byrom, now 57, was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 2000 in Tishomingo County in the killing of her husband, Edward "Eddie" Byrom Sr., and for recruiting her son in the plot. Byrom Sr. was fatally shot on June 4, 1999, at the couple's home in Iuka.


Byrom's attorneys say they have new evidence in the case, and Byrom now argues her son committed the slaying. She argues in court briefs that her son confessed in conversations with a forensic psychologist. She argues the statements were discussed with the trial judge but were never revealed to Michelle Byrom or her attorneys before her trial. She also says the psychologist was not allowed to testify about them.


In the high court's two-page order, Justice Josiah D. Coleman said the original trial judge, Circuit Judge Thomas J. Gardner, will not preside over Byrom's re-trial. Coleman said the circuit court in Tishomingo County will assign another judge to the case.


The high court did not elaborate on how it reached its decision. Coleman said, however, the high court's decision was "extraordinary and extremely rare in the context of a petition for leave to pursue post-conviction relief."


Mississippi has one other woman on death row, but the state has not executed a woman since 1944.


State Attorney General Jim Hood did not immediately respond to requests for comment.


David Voisin, a Jackson attorney working with Michelle Byrom's legal team, said in a statement Monday that the decision gives Byrom "a fair opportunity to have her case heard in court.


"Michelle suffered extreme sexual and physical abuse from an early age and throughout her marriage. We are pleased that Ms. Byrom will now have the opportunity to present the overwhelming evidence that she is innocent of murder-for-hire," Voisin said.


State and federal courts have in the past denied Byrom's arguments that she should not be put to death because she was sexually and physically abused by her husband.


Hood asked in February for the court to set Byrom's execution for this past week. The Supreme Court denied that request last Thursday.


Prosecutors said Michelle Byrom killed her husband of 20 years for money, and that she planned to pay a hit man $15,000 with proceeds from the estate, estimated at more than $350,000.


In a rare move, she asked Gardner, instead of the jury, to decide whether she should serve life in prison or be put to death. Gardner sentenced her to death.


Eddie Byrom Jr. testified against his mother during the trial as part of a plea bargain. He later pleaded guilty to several charges in the murder-for-hire scheme, including conspiracy to commit murder. Gardner sentenced him to 50 years in prison with 20 years suspended.


Joseph Dale Gillis, who was described in court documents as the hit man, pleaded guilty to lesser charges of conspiracy to commit capital murder and accessory after the fact. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.


Byrom Jr. testified that his mother asked him to talk to some of his friends about killing his father. He said she would pay $10,000 in the murder-for-hire scheme with the money to come from an expected insurance policy.


Michelle Byrom argued her son told the psychologist that he had been physically and emotionally abused by his father and that he shot his father for his own reasons.


Hood has said Michelle Byrom has run out of appeals. He said in court briefs that she was arguing that her attorney didn't do a good job — an issue Hood said was addressed in past appeals and denied. The attorney general's office said Byrom cannot argue issues that never came up at trial.



Margaret Hoelzer - Jackson Free Press


As a 5-year-old, Olympian Margaret Hoelzer didn't realize her best friend's father was sexually abusing her.


"I didn't connect the dots, other than feeling uncomfortable. I think, on a subconscious level, I knew it. But consciously, I didn't," she told the Seattle Times in 2008.


Hoelzer often went to the friend's house and frequently stayed the night.


"It was definitely a situation where I was taught to trust that person," she said in that interview.


It wasn't until a few years later that she realized what had happened. She told a friend, who immediately told her that she should tell her mother. Hoelzer and her mother estimated that her friend's father had abused her for about two years. The abuse stopped when her friend's family moved away from Huntsville, Ala., where Hoelzer grew up.


Though her abuser was eventually arrested, no charges stuck due a lack of evidence and the length of time between the abuse and the arrest.


Hoelzer found swimming when she was 8 years old.


"I always felt like swimming was the one thing I could control," she said to the Seattle Times. "I can't control other people. I can't control whether or not I beat someone, or how they swim. But I could control how good I was."


After getting a degree in psychology with a minor in criminology from Auburn University, Hoelzer went on to win three medals—two silver and one bronze—at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Today she is a world champion and an advocate against child abuse.


Hoelzer, who is the national spokeswoman for the National Children's Advocacy Center, will be the keynote speaker at the "One Loud Voice" conference. The conference brings national experts together to talk about child abuse and trauma. "One Loud Voice" begins tomorrow morning, April 1, at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Jackson (200 E. Amite St.) at 10:30 a.m., and continues through Wednesday. Registration for the two-day event is $99 and is open to the public.



Community Meetings and Events - Jackson Free Press



Community Meetings


Monday, March 31


6 p.m.-8 p.m., wii-FM (What's In It For Me) Community Forum at Afrikan Art Gallery and Gift Shop (612 N. Farish St.). The topic is "Demanding Respect for Our Black Dollars." Dr. Ivory Phillips is the guest speaker. Free; call 601-201-0871 or 601-918-5075.


Tuesday, April 1


11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Freedom Summer Luncheon Dialogue at Hattiesburg Cultural Center (723 Main St., Hattiesburg). Raphael Scott Waldrop of Hattiesburg High School speaks on the topic "Bridging the Achievement Gap." Students from the high school also perform. Free; call 601-583-6005; hattiesburgartscouncil.org.


noon, Women for Progress Lunch and Learn: Conversation with the Candidates at The Penguin Restaurant & Bar (1100 John R. Lynch St.). Attorney Pamela Shaw moderates the forum. RSVP. Limited seating. $15; call 601-405-4478; email mail@womenforprogress.net; womenforprogress.net.


noon-1 p.m., First Tuesday Lecture at Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive). Alex Littlejohn of The Nature Conservancy talks about the organization's 25-year history in Mississippi. Museum admission applies; call 601-576-6000; msnaturalscience.org.


5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Women's Foundation Fifth Anniversary Celebration at Women's Foundation of Mississippi (Plaza Building, 120 N. Congress St., Suite 903). Find out what's currently happening with the Women's Foundation. Office supply donations welcome. RSVP. Free; call 601-326-3001.


Wednesday, April 2


noon, History Is Lunch at William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). MDAH historic resources specialist Caroline Gray-Primer presents "The Life and Sacrifice of PFC Milton L. Olive III." Free; call 601-576-6998; mdah.state.ms.us.


Thursday, April 3


6 p.m., Precinct 1 COPS Meeting at Jackson Police Department, Precinct 1 (810 Cooper Road). These monthly forums are designed to help resolve community issues or problems, from crime to potholes. Free; call 601-960-0001.


Friday, April 4


Top 40 Under 40 Luncheon April 4, at Hilton Jackson (1001 E. County Line Road). Young business leaders receive awards for their contributions to the Mississippi economy. Admission TBA; call 957-2800; email tami.jones@msbusiness.com or marcia.kelly@msbusiness.com.


8 a.m.-9 a.m., Coffee and Contacts at ITT Technical Institute (382 Galleria Parkway, Madison). The Madison County Chamber of Commerce hosts the fast-paces business card exchange and networking hour. Free; call 601-607-4500; email info@madisoncountychamber.org.


10 a.m.-2 p.m., Jackson Mayoral Debate at Mississippi College School of Law (151 E. Griffith St.). Candidates for mayor of Jackson participate in a Q&A session. Free; wapt.com.


Saturday, April 5


8:30 a.m., Rankin County Democrats Monthly at Corner Bakery, Flowood (108 Market St., Flowood). On first Saturdays at 8:30am, Jackson-area Democrats meet for breakfast and discuss current political activities. Open to the public. Free with food for sale Free with food for sale; call 601-919-9797; rankindemocrats.net.


9 a.m.-5 p.m., Homebuyer Workshop at Warren G. Hood Building (200 S. President St.). In the Andrew Jackson Conference Room, first floor. Mississippi Home of Your Own (HOYO) empowers people with disabilities to become homeowners through grants and support systems. Residents in Hinds and surrounding counties are welcome. Free; call 866-883-4474.


10 a.m.-3 p.m., Young Democrats of Mississippi Convention The biennial convention is for Democrats ages 35 and under. Includes lunch. Registration required. $10 per person, $25 filing fee per chapter; call 601-969-2913; email ouida@mississippidemocrats.org; mississippidemocrats.org.


Monday, April 7


9 a.m., Hinds County Board of Supervisors at Hinds County Chancery Court (316 S. President St.). The board holds its regular meeting, open to the public. Free; call 601-968-6501; co.hinds.ms.us.


Community Events


Monday, March 31


10:30 a.m., "Tee it Up" Golf Tournament at Annandale Golf Club (419 Annandale Parkway, Madison). The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership's event is open to all members, business and industry. Registration is at 10:30 a.m., lunch and a putting contest is at 11 a.m., and tee time is at 12:30 p.m. Sponsorships available. $200, $750 team of four; call 601-948-7575; email nlowery@greaterjacksonpartnership.com; greaterjacksonpartnership.com.


Thursday, April 3


5 p.m.-8 p.m., Fondren After 5 at Fondren. This monthly event is a showcase of the local shops, galleries and restaurants of the Fondren neighborhood. Includes live music, food and vendors. Free; call 601-981-9606; email newfondrenafter5@gmail.com (artists, crafters and musicians); fondren.org.


5 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Jackson Transplant Social April 3, at Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza and Ice Cream Joint (565 Taylor St.). New Jackson residents from other states are welcome to enjoy free food, prizes and music from Physics for Poets. Free; call 368-1919; find Figment Jackson on Facebook.


6 p.m., Precinct 1 COPS Meeting at Jackson Police Department, Precinct 1 (810 Cooper Road). These monthly forums are designed to help resolve community issues or problems, from crime to potholes. Free; call 601-960-0001.


Friday, April 4


8 a.m.-2 p.m., Mississippi Foreign Language Fair at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.). In the Dollye M.E. Robinson Liberal Arts Building. Students are tested on their language skills through speaking, projects, singing and dancing for a chance to win prizes. Free; call 601-979-2249 or 601-979-2866; email herd.e.graves@jsums.edu.


9 a.m.-5 p.m., Muddy Waters Birthday Celebration at Delta Blues Museum (1 Blues Alley Lane, Clarksdale). Includes cupcakes throughout the day and a presentation from author Terry Abrahamson on his book "In the Belly of the Blues" at 4 p.m. Free; call 662-627-6820; deltabluesmuseum.org.


7 p.m.-11 p.m., Hawaiian Breezes Drawdown at Canton Multipurpose Complex (501 Soldier Colony Road, Canton). The fundraiser includes a $5,000 drawdown, dinner and a silent auction. Island attire welcome. Proceeds benefit Our Daily Bread Ministries' feeding programs. For ages 21 and up. $50 per couple, $25 second chance insurance (optional); call 601-859-9211 or 601-906-2617; ourdailybreadms.com.


Saturday, April 5


8 a.m., Racin' for the Seed at Fannin Landing Park (Fannin Landing Circle, Brandon). The race includes a 5K run/walk and a duathlon (two 5K run/walks with a 15-mile bike ride in between). Proceeds benefit The Mustard Seed. $30 5K only, duathlon: $50 individual; $35 per relay team member; call 601-992-3556; racinfortheseed.com.


8 a.m.-11:45 a.m., Get2College ACT Workshops at Mississippi College School of Law (151 E. Griffith St.). Includes an overview of mathematics, science, English and reading subject areas, score-improving tips, time-saving strategies and resource materials. Free; call 601-321-5533.


8 a.m.-noon, Jackson Audubon Society First Saturday Bird Walk at LeFleur's Bluff State Park (2140 Riverside Drive). An expert birder leads the walk. Bring binoculars, water, insect repellent and a snack. Call ahead if you would like to borrow a pair of binoculars. Adults must accompany children under 15. Free, $3 car entrance fee. Free; call 601-832-6788.


9 a.m., Youth Fishing Rodeo at Turcotte Lab (506 Highway 43 S., Canton). The event is for children ages 15 and under. Bring fishing gear, catfish bait and stringers. Free; call 601-656-7376 or 601-432-2209; mdwfp.com.


10 a.m., Gateway to History Celebration at Town of Livingston (Highway 463 and Highway 22, Madison). The events includes arts and crafts vendors, a ribbon cutting, a daffodil planting, and music from Bogen Ridge and local gospel singers. Free; call 601-898-0212; find Gateway to History on Facebook.


10 a.m.-2 p.m., Emerging Young Leaders (EYL) Youth Summit at New Hope Baptist Church (5202 Watkins Drive). The Rho Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority hosts the event for youth in grades 6-8. Parents welcome. Includes advice on life skills, a college fair, lunch and snacks. Register by March 22. Free; call 601-668-3248; email eyl.akarho@gmail.com.


10 a.m.-5 p.m., NatureFEST! at Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive). The annual festival includes exotic animal encounters, a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum's collections chats with scientists and prizes. Magician Robert Day performs. Admission includes one free poster per family. $4-$6; call 601-576-6000; msnaturalscience.org.


10 a.m.-7 p.m., Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival at Renaissance at Colony Park (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland). The annual festival includes an art show and sale, craft demonstrations, children's activities and live music. Free; call 601-519-0900; ridgelandartsfest.com.


10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Jazzy Jean Brunch at Fondren Hall (4330 N. State St.). Enjoy music from local jazz artists, local vendors, a fashion showcase and a silent auction. The event is a fundraiser for Coleman Alexander Prosser (CAP) Inc. and the Beta Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. $50-$50; call stephanie.i.chatman@gmail.com or kbyrd79@gmail.com.


7 p.m., All About Love Seminar at Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum (1152 Lakeland Drive). Author Tony Gaskins speaks on relationship issues such as finding love, self-love, infidelity and more. Limited seating. $25; call 982-8264; allaboutthelove.eventbrite.com.


Sunday, April 6


11 a.m.-5 p.m., Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival at Renaissance at Colony Park (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland). The annual festival includes an art show and sale, craft demonstrations, children's activities and live music. Free; call 601-519-0900; ridgelandartsfest.com.


12:30 p.m., Scholastic Art Awards Mississippi Regional Competition at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). The reception is first, and the awards ceremony follows at 2 p.m. Participants are students in grades 7-12, and Gold Key winners move on to the national competition. Free; call 601-960-1515; msmuseumart.org.


Ongoing


April 5 - 12, Monarch Festival at Clinton Community Nature Center (617 Dunton Road, Clinton). The annual event includes a monarch rescue, a haiku contest and a walkathon. Details pending. Free; call 601-926-1104; email clintonnaturecenter@gmail.com; clintonnaturecenter.org.


April 4 - 6, Louisiana Collegiate Wake Tour at Wolf Lake (1224 Erickson Road, Yazoo City). Riders from Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee participate in the wakeboarding competition. Includes meals, awards and the Red Bull Party wit DJ Digital and DJ Beverly. USA Waterski membership required to register. $35 per rider, $75 per new team; find "LCWT - Stop 3 - Yazoo City, MS" on Facebook.


April 7 - 11International Week at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.). JSU hosts the program to honor the growing diverse culture on its campus. Includes a film festival, peace conference, parade of flags, ice cream social, the International Scholarship Banquet and more. Visit the website for a schedule. Admission varies, some events free; call 979-2121; jsums.edu.


Mon.-Sat., Fight Against Hunger at BRAVO!, Broad Street Bakery and Sal & Mookie's. Dine at participating restaurants and add a donation to Extra Table to your receipt. Donations welcome; extratable.org.


Mon.-Fri., Computer Courses for Adults at Hinds Community College, Raymond Campus (501 E. Main St., P.O. Box 1100, Raymond). Classes usually meet once a week for four to eight weeks, and fees depend on the level and type of class. Free; call 601-857-3773; email mfield@hindscc.edu.


Mon.-Fri., Senior Aides Program in Jackson. The city of Jackson offers the part-time job program to low-income seniors ages 55 and up. Receive assistance in finding a job during the training process. Applicants must have state ID, a Social Security card, proof of income and a utility bill. Free; call 601-960-0335.


Mon.-Fri. 2:30 p.m.-6 p.m., through April 30, Common Core After Hours Learning and Readiness Program at PERICO Institute (Jackson Medical Mall, 350 W. Woodrow Ave., Suite 300). The weekly program for children in grades K-12 includes English and language arts, math, science, and music and art appreciation. Registration required. Light snack included. $50 per week; call 769-251-1408; priydems.com.


Mon.-Sat., through May 5, Cinco de Mayo Raffle at Sombra, Anjou, Char and Amerigo . Buy raffle tickets for a chance to win a four-wheeler from Got Gear. The raffle is May 5 from 6-7:30 p.m at Sombra Mexican Kitchen (140 Township Avenue, Suite 100, Ridgeland). Proceeds benefit the Mississippi Burn Foundation. $10-$10; call 601-540-2995; email afontaine@msburn.org.


Mon.-Fri., through May 15, North Mississippi Fish Hatchery Youth Art Contest at Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (1505 Eastover Drive). Students must submit a portfolio including entry form and artwork by May 15. Winners in four age categories will have their work included in Mississippi Outdoors magazine and posted on foundationwfp.com. First-place winners get a free magazine. Free; call 662-563-8068; foundationmwfp.com.


Mon., 6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m., through May 26, ALS (Lou Gehrig's) Support Group at Methodist Rehabilitation Center (1350 E. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The group meets in the BankPlus Community Room on the second floor. Free; call 601-364-3326.


Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., through June 2, Tutoring Registration at Genesis and Light Center (4914 N. State St.). The center is accepting applications for its after-school program for ages 6-18 in math reading, and language arts. Applications accepted on weekdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call for details on cost; call 601-362-6736; email genesisandlight@att.net; genesisandlightcenter.com.


Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-8 p.m., through July 31, Private Tutoring in Jackson metro area. In-person and virtual tutoring available for students in grades K-12 in math, science and literacy. Registration required. $15-$50; je411.webs.com.



Miss. Lawmakers Face Saturday Budget Deadline - Jackson Free Press


JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — Mississippi teachers will get some sort of pay raise during the budget year that starts July 1, and so could a few thousand lower-paid state government employees.


The Highway Patrol will receive money to train a new group of state troopers, and a new state crime lab could get some of the equipment it needs.


The Mississippi Adequate Education Program, a complex funding formula for elementary and secondary schools, is likely to get at least as much money in the coming year as it's getting now — possibility a bit more.


Those were some of items the Legislature's top budget writers discussed in interviews Friday, but they wouldn't give specifics because the numbers were still in flux. Negotiators face a Saturday night deadline to agree on details of a roughly $6 billion budget for fiscal 2015.


"There's more agreement than there is disagreement," House Appropriations Committee Chairman Herb Frierson, R-Poplarville, said Friday in describing the budget discussions.


Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Eugene "Buck" Clarke, R-Hollandale, was equally upbeat.


"I couldn't point to any one item where there's a lot of disagreement hanging us up," Clarke said.


Negotiators will file more than 100 budget bills. If everything runs as scheduled, those will be sent to the full 122-member House and 52-member Senate for consideration Sunday and Monday. Bills that pass will go to Republican Gov. Phil Bryant.


The budget-writing process started last summer, when agencies submitted their spending requests. Bryant released his recommendations in November, and top lawmakers released theirs in December.


Clarke told reporters Friday that negotiators are looking at a raise for an estimated 4,000 to 5,000 state employees who earn $30,000 or less and haven't received one in the past four years. He said an amount hadn't been set.


Bryant has said the Highway Patrol is about 150 troopers short of its needs, plus 120 troopers are eligible to retire. Clarke said a trooper training school would cost about $6.9 million.


The three-month legislative session is scheduled to end by April 6.



Copyright 2013 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


Protect the Innocent: End the Death Penalty - Jackson Free Press




An Innocent Woman? Michelle Byrom vs. Mississippi



Read Ronni Mott's March 19, 2014, story in the JFP that brought international attention to the tragic case of Michelle Byrom.



You can't make it up. A husband horribly abuses his mentally ill wife and his son for years, even forcing her to have sex with others to videotape.


Someone then kills the abuser. A nightmare of legal maneuvering then follows with her accused of paying another man to kill her husband, even as her son confesses to the murder several times, as does she once while under the influence of mind-altering drugs. The judge doesn't allow the jury to see evidence that might have helped her.


Meantime, neither the son nor the supposed hit man goes to prison for murder, and a newspaper quotes the prosecutor saying the alleged contract killer didn't actually do it.


The woman ends up on death row because, as often happens to poor people, her crappy attorneys can't figure out how to keep her from being executed.


Nowhere along the way does this mess of a prosecution and sentencing capture much of anyone's attention outside a handful of anti-death penalty folks. The Democratic attorney general of the state, Jim Hood, asks for a date for her execution, and there is no evidence that either he or the current GOP governor, Phil Bryant, gives a damn about whether she actually is innocent or not.


Because they're all tough-no-matter-whether-or-not-it-was-a-crime politicians.


Michelle Byrom is a textbook case of what is wrong with the state executions in Mississippi and the rest of the nation.


Even if you believe that the government should choose who to execute and that it's moral to take one life for another—which I don't—I'm guessing that most of you think taxpayers should only fund the killing of murderers who we're dang sure are guilty.


When someone is convicted for hiring someone the prosecutor said didn't kill anyone ... well, Mississippi, we have a problem.


The nightmare that is the death penalty in Mississippi is beyond a morality question. The citizens of this state have no guarantee that we are actually executing the people who did the crime. Our criminal-justice system has long been riddled with corruption (Quick: How many of you have paid to keep your kid out of jail at some point over the decades? Be honest with yourself at least), ineptness, and a lust for power that leads prosecutors and judges to do really bad things.


Start here in Hinds County. My friend Cedric Willis spent 12 years in Parchman for a double murder and rape because then-District Attorney Ed Peters' office didn't present the evidence that could have cleared him. The prosecutor on the case, Bobby DeLaughter, later became a judge and presided over many criminal cases. He, more recently, went to prison due to a bribery scheme involving former employer Peters.


I sure wish I had time to scrutinize every case those guys ever touched. I'm not saying I would find other problems, but how do these men's records lead to trust in our court decisions that, in turn, bolster our confidence about who is in prison and on death row and who is walking free?


The point is: There is no possible way Mississippians can be certain that all people on death row are guilty. Our system is too broken, and as the Byrom case shows, there is little, if any, Mississippi officialdom lining up to make sure that the state government doesn't kill or imprison innocent people.


It is easy to look at convicted murderers with bloodlust and a desire for revenge. I get it, and I've felt it myself.


But don't fool yourselves into thinking that the death penalty actually deters murders. For one thing, it's perhaps the most discriminatory institution this country embraces: It is biased against the poor and uneducated who do not have the connections or resources to keep themselves off death row.


Not to mention, I rather doubt someone suffering the kinds of abuse that Michelle's husband meted out would actually stop to think about whether or not they might be executed at some point before killing their abuser. The death penalty doesn't deter murders by the people likely to be executed.


The embrace of the death penalty by many in the United States is unusual on the world stage and especially among "civilized" nations that consider the practice barbarous and backward. We can talk all we want about human-rights violations in places like China and Iran, but that is the company we keep by allowing government executions in the U.S. In fact, the countries that execute the most people are, in this order: China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, United States, Pakistan, Yemen, North Korea, Vietnam and Libya.


The truth isn't that non-death-penalty nations are trying to be "softer" on crime. The research shows myriad problems with executions—from the to the costs and uselessness when it comes to actually preventing other murders.


Put another way, "civilized" rejection of executions means that other countries just might be facing the truth quicker than some in the United States are willing to.


Too much of that truth involves unethical judges and prosecutors who often run for office based on their toughness and, thus, are sometimes willing to hide evidence that might clear someone or, at least, keep them alive and in prison.


Consider some other tough truths: In Mississippi and beyond, most condemned murderers of any race killed a white person. A disproportionate number are black murderers—and usually for killing whites.


Since 1973, more than 138 people on death row have been exonerated in the U.S., including at least three in Mississippi. That means prosecutors, judges and juries are condemning innocent people. The scary part is that their case may or may not be reopened, and often only are because a zealous journalist (like Ronni Mott) did a story that went viral. We can only pray that saves Ms. Byrom.


But what about all the others on death row in Mississippi and beyond? There aren't enough journalists to investigate every case, and often the evidence is missing or buried too deep to find. Attorneys doing the Lord's work such as those with the Innocence Project (who helped free Cedric Willis) can't get to everyone, either, although they try.


And our leaders aren't exactly helping. Beyond turning their heads away from bad prosecution, the state's leaders aren't calling for enough scrutiny. The attorney general has defended the controversial work of medical examiner Steven Hayne, for instance, and the Legislature is actually giving judges more latitude and sentencing discretion, instead of being more concerned about what judges and prosecutors are up to—or hiding.


Meantime, the public simply cannot trust our criminal-justice system to get it right. That has been proved over and over again. As a result, the state of Mississippi must declare a moratorium on the death penalty. It is the only moral thing to do.


See jfp.ms/byrom to read more about the Michelle Byrom case and jfp.ms/cedric for Cedric Willis' story. Read about Haynes' work at jfp.ms/Edmonds.



Woman on Mississippi's death row gets new trial - MiamiHerald

The Associated Press



A death row inmate who prosecutors say recruited her son in a plot to kill her husband will get a new trial, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled Monday in a rare order for a prisoner awaiting execution.


Michelle Byrom, now 57, was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 2000 in Tishomingo County in the killing of her husband, Edward "Eddie" Byrom Sr., and for recruiting her son in the plot. Byrom Sr. was fatally shot on June 4, 1999, at the couple's home in Iuka.


Byrom's attorneys say they have new evidence in the case, and Byrom now argues her son committed the slaying. She argues in court briefs that her son confessed in conversations with a forensic psychologist. She argues the statements were discussed with the trial judge but were never revealed to Michelle Byrom or her attorneys before her trial. She also says the psychologist was not allowed to testify about them.


In the high court's two-page order, Justice Josiah D. Coleman said the original trial judge, Circuit Judge Thomas J. Gardner, will not preside over Byrom's re-trial. Coleman said the circuit court in Tishomingo County will assign another judge to the case.


The high court did not elaborate on how it reached its decision. Coleman said, however, the high court's decision was "extraordinary and extremely rare in the context of a petition for leave to pursue post-conviction relief."


Mississippi has one other woman on death row, but the state has not executed a woman since 1944.


State Attorney General Jim Hood did not immediately respond to requests for comment.


David Voisin, a Jackson attorney working with Michelle Byrom's legal team, said in a statement Monday that the decision gives Byrom "a fair opportunity to have her case heard in court.


"Michelle suffered extreme sexual and physical abuse from an early age and throughout her marriage. We are pleased that Ms. Byrom will now have the opportunity to present the overwhelming evidence that she is innocent of murder-for-hire," Voisin said.


State and federal courts have in the past denied Byrom's arguments that she should not be put to death because she was sexually and physically abused by her husband.


Hood asked in February for the court to set Byrom's execution for this past week. The Supreme Court denied that request last Thursday.


Prosecutors said Michelle Byrom killed her husband of 20 years for money, and that she planned to pay a hit man $15,000 with proceeds from the estate, estimated at more than $350,000.


In a rare move, she asked Gardner, instead of the jury, to decide whether she should serve life in prison or be put to death. Gardner sentenced her to death.


Eddie Byrom Jr. testified against his mother during the trial as part of a plea bargain. He later pleaded guilty to several charges in the murder-for-hire scheme, including conspiracy to commit murder. Gardner sentenced him to 50 years in prison with 20 years suspended.


Joseph Dale Gillis, who was described in court documents as the hit man, pleaded guilty to lesser charges of conspiracy to commit capital murder and accessory after the fact. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.


Byrom Jr. testified that his mother asked him to talk to some of his friends about killing his father. He said she would pay $10,000 in the murder-for-hire scheme with the money to come from an expected insurance policy.


Michelle Byrom argued her son told the psychologist that he had been physically and emotionally abused by his father and that he shot his father for his own reasons.


Hood has said Michelle Byrom has run out of appeals. He said in court briefs that she was arguing that her attorney didn't do a good job — an issue Hood said was addressed in past appeals and denied. The attorney general's office said Byrom cannot argue issues that never came up at trial.



Margaret Hoelzer - Jackson Free Press


As a 5-year-old, Olympian Margaret Hoelzer didn't realize her best friend's father was sexually abusing her.


"I didn't connect the dots, other than feeling uncomfortable. I think, on a subconscious level, I knew it. But consciously, I didn't," she told the Seattle Times in 2008.


Hoelzer often went to the friend's house and frequently stayed the night.


"It was definitely a situation where I was taught to trust that person," she said in that interview.


It wasn't until a few years later that she realized what had happened. She told a friend, who immediately told her that she should tell her mother. Hoelzer and her mother estimated that her friend's father had abused her for about two years. The abuse stopped when her friend's family moved away from Huntsville, Ala., where Hoelzer grew up.


Though her abuser was eventually arrested, no charges stuck due a lack of evidence and the length of time between the abuse and the arrest.


Hoelzer found swimming when she was 8 years old.


"I always felt like swimming was the one thing I could control," she said to the Seattle Times. "I can't control other people. I can't control whether or not I beat someone, or how they swim. But I could control how good I was."


After getting a degree in psychology with a minor in criminology from Auburn University, Hoelzer went on to win three medals—two silver and one bronze—at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Today she is a world champion and an advocate against child abuse.


Hoelzer, who is the national spokeswoman for the National Children's Advocacy Center, will be the keynote speaker at the "One Loud Voice" conference. The conference brings national experts together to talk about child abuse and trauma. "One Loud Voice" begins tomorrow morning, April 1, at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Jackson (200 E. Amite St.) at 10:30 a.m., and continues through Wednesday. Registration for the two-day event is $99 and is open to the public.



Community Meetings and Events - Jackson Free Press



Community Meetings


Monday, March 31


6 p.m.-8 p.m., wii-FM (What's In It For Me) Community Forum at Afrikan Art Gallery and Gift Shop (612 N. Farish St.). The topic is "Demanding Respect for Our Black Dollars." Dr. Ivory Phillips is the guest speaker. Free; call 601-201-0871 or 601-918-5075.


Tuesday, April 1


11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Freedom Summer Luncheon Dialogue at Hattiesburg Cultural Center (723 Main St., Hattiesburg). Raphael Scott Waldrop of Hattiesburg High School speaks on the topic "Bridging the Achievement Gap." Students from the high school also perform. Free; call 601-583-6005; hattiesburgartscouncil.org.


noon, Women for Progress Lunch and Learn: Conversation with the Candidates at The Penguin Restaurant & Bar (1100 John R. Lynch St.). Attorney Pamela Shaw moderates the forum. RSVP. Limited seating. $15; call 601-405-4478; email mail@womenforprogress.net; womenforprogress.net.


noon-1 p.m., First Tuesday Lecture at Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive). Alex Littlejohn of The Nature Conservancy talks about the organization's 25-year history in Mississippi. Museum admission applies; call 601-576-6000; msnaturalscience.org.


5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Women's Foundation Fifth Anniversary Celebration at Women's Foundation of Mississippi (Plaza Building, 120 N. Congress St., Suite 903). Find out what's currently happening with the Women's Foundation. Office supply donations welcome. RSVP. Free; call 601-326-3001.


Wednesday, April 2


noon, History Is Lunch at William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). MDAH historic resources specialist Caroline Gray-Primer presents "The Life and Sacrifice of PFC Milton L. Olive III." Free; call 601-576-6998; mdah.state.ms.us.


Thursday, April 3


6 p.m., Precinct 1 COPS Meeting at Jackson Police Department, Precinct 1 (810 Cooper Road). These monthly forums are designed to help resolve community issues or problems, from crime to potholes. Free; call 601-960-0001.


Friday, April 4


Top 40 Under 40 Luncheon April 4, at Hilton Jackson (1001 E. County Line Road). Young business leaders receive awards for their contributions to the Mississippi economy. Admission TBA; call 957-2800; email tami.jones@msbusiness.com or marcia.kelly@msbusiness.com.


8 a.m.-9 a.m., Coffee and Contacts at ITT Technical Institute (382 Galleria Parkway, Madison). The Madison County Chamber of Commerce hosts the fast-paces business card exchange and networking hour. Free; call 601-607-4500; email info@madisoncountychamber.org.


10 a.m.-2 p.m., Jackson Mayoral Debate at Mississippi College School of Law (151 E. Griffith St.). Candidates for mayor of Jackson participate in a Q&A session. Free; wapt.com.


Saturday, April 5


8:30 a.m., Rankin County Democrats Monthly at Corner Bakery, Flowood (108 Market St., Flowood). On first Saturdays at 8:30am, Jackson-area Democrats meet for breakfast and discuss current political activities. Open to the public. Free with food for sale Free with food for sale; call 601-919-9797; rankindemocrats.net.


9 a.m.-5 p.m., Homebuyer Workshop at Warren G. Hood Building (200 S. President St.). In the Andrew Jackson Conference Room, first floor. Mississippi Home of Your Own (HOYO) empowers people with disabilities to become homeowners through grants and support systems. Residents in Hinds and surrounding counties are welcome. Free; call 866-883-4474.


10 a.m.-3 p.m., Young Democrats of Mississippi Convention The biennial convention is for Democrats ages 35 and under. Includes lunch. Registration required. $10 per person, $25 filing fee per chapter; call 601-969-2913; email ouida@mississippidemocrats.org; mississippidemocrats.org.


Monday, April 7


9 a.m., Hinds County Board of Supervisors at Hinds County Chancery Court (316 S. President St.). The board holds its regular meeting, open to the public. Free; call 601-968-6501; co.hinds.ms.us.


Community Events


Monday, March 31


10:30 a.m., "Tee it Up" Golf Tournament at Annandale Golf Club (419 Annandale Parkway, Madison). The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership's event is open to all members, business and industry. Registration is at 10:30 a.m., lunch and a putting contest is at 11 a.m., and tee time is at 12:30 p.m. Sponsorships available. $200, $750 team of four; call 601-948-7575; email nlowery@greaterjacksonpartnership.com; greaterjacksonpartnership.com.


Thursday, April 3


5 p.m.-8 p.m., Fondren After 5 at Fondren. This monthly event is a showcase of the local shops, galleries and restaurants of the Fondren neighborhood. Includes live music, food and vendors. Free; call 601-981-9606; email newfondrenafter5@gmail.com (artists, crafters and musicians); fondren.org.


5 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Jackson Transplant Social April 3, at Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza and Ice Cream Joint (565 Taylor St.). New Jackson residents from other states are welcome to enjoy free food, prizes and music from Physics for Poets. Free; call 368-1919; find Figment Jackson on Facebook.


6 p.m., Precinct 1 COPS Meeting at Jackson Police Department, Precinct 1 (810 Cooper Road). These monthly forums are designed to help resolve community issues or problems, from crime to potholes. Free; call 601-960-0001.


Friday, April 4


8 a.m.-2 p.m., Mississippi Foreign Language Fair at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.). In the Dollye M.E. Robinson Liberal Arts Building. Students are tested on their language skills through speaking, projects, singing and dancing for a chance to win prizes. Free; call 601-979-2249 or 601-979-2866; email herd.e.graves@jsums.edu.


9 a.m.-5 p.m., Muddy Waters Birthday Celebration at Delta Blues Museum (1 Blues Alley Lane, Clarksdale). Includes cupcakes throughout the day and a presentation from author Terry Abrahamson on his book "In the Belly of the Blues" at 4 p.m. Free; call 662-627-6820; deltabluesmuseum.org.


7 p.m.-11 p.m., Hawaiian Breezes Drawdown at Canton Multipurpose Complex (501 Soldier Colony Road, Canton). The fundraiser includes a $5,000 drawdown, dinner and a silent auction. Island attire welcome. Proceeds benefit Our Daily Bread Ministries' feeding programs. For ages 21 and up. $50 per couple, $25 second chance insurance (optional); call 601-859-9211 or 601-906-2617; ourdailybreadms.com.


Saturday, April 5


8 a.m., Racin' for the Seed at Fannin Landing Park (Fannin Landing Circle, Brandon). The race includes a 5K run/walk and a duathlon (two 5K run/walks with a 15-mile bike ride in between). Proceeds benefit The Mustard Seed. $30 5K only, duathlon: $50 individual; $35 per relay team member; call 601-992-3556; racinfortheseed.com.


8 a.m.-11:45 a.m., Get2College ACT Workshops at Mississippi College School of Law (151 E. Griffith St.). Includes an overview of mathematics, science, English and reading subject areas, score-improving tips, time-saving strategies and resource materials. Free; call 601-321-5533.


8 a.m.-noon, Jackson Audubon Society First Saturday Bird Walk at LeFleur's Bluff State Park (2140 Riverside Drive). An expert birder leads the walk. Bring binoculars, water, insect repellent and a snack. Call ahead if you would like to borrow a pair of binoculars. Adults must accompany children under 15. Free, $3 car entrance fee. Free; call 601-832-6788.


9 a.m., Youth Fishing Rodeo at Turcotte Lab (506 Highway 43 S., Canton). The event is for children ages 15 and under. Bring fishing gear, catfish bait and stringers. Free; call 601-656-7376 or 601-432-2209; mdwfp.com.


10 a.m., Gateway to History Celebration at Town of Livingston (Highway 463 and Highway 22, Madison). The events includes arts and crafts vendors, a ribbon cutting, a daffodil planting, and music from Bogen Ridge and local gospel singers. Free; call 601-898-0212; find Gateway to History on Facebook.


10 a.m.-2 p.m., Emerging Young Leaders (EYL) Youth Summit at New Hope Baptist Church (5202 Watkins Drive). The Rho Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority hosts the event for youth in grades 6-8. Parents welcome. Includes advice on life skills, a college fair, lunch and snacks. Register by March 22. Free; call 601-668-3248; email eyl.akarho@gmail.com.


10 a.m.-5 p.m., NatureFEST! at Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive). The annual festival includes exotic animal encounters, a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum's collections chats with scientists and prizes. Magician Robert Day performs. Admission includes one free poster per family. $4-$6; call 601-576-6000; msnaturalscience.org.


10 a.m.-7 p.m., Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival at Renaissance at Colony Park (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland). The annual festival includes an art show and sale, craft demonstrations, children's activities and live music. Free; call 601-519-0900; ridgelandartsfest.com.


10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Jazzy Jean Brunch at Fondren Hall (4330 N. State St.). Enjoy music from local jazz artists, local vendors, a fashion showcase and a silent auction. The event is a fundraiser for Coleman Alexander Prosser (CAP) Inc. and the Beta Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. $50-$50; call stephanie.i.chatman@gmail.com or kbyrd79@gmail.com.


7 p.m., All About Love Seminar at Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum (1152 Lakeland Drive). Author Tony Gaskins speaks on relationship issues such as finding love, self-love, infidelity and more. Limited seating. $25; call 982-8264; allaboutthelove.eventbrite.com.


Sunday, April 6


11 a.m.-5 p.m., Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival at Renaissance at Colony Park (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland). The annual festival includes an art show and sale, craft demonstrations, children's activities and live music. Free; call 601-519-0900; ridgelandartsfest.com.


12:30 p.m., Scholastic Art Awards Mississippi Regional Competition at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). The reception is first, and the awards ceremony follows at 2 p.m. Participants are students in grades 7-12, and Gold Key winners move on to the national competition. Free; call 601-960-1515; msmuseumart.org.


Ongoing


April 5 - 12, Monarch Festival at Clinton Community Nature Center (617 Dunton Road, Clinton). The annual event includes a monarch rescue, a haiku contest and a walkathon. Details pending. Free; call 601-926-1104; email clintonnaturecenter@gmail.com; clintonnaturecenter.org.


April 4 - 6, Louisiana Collegiate Wake Tour at Wolf Lake (1224 Erickson Road, Yazoo City). Riders from Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee participate in the wakeboarding competition. Includes meals, awards and the Red Bull Party wit DJ Digital and DJ Beverly. USA Waterski membership required to register. $35 per rider, $75 per new team; find "LCWT - Stop 3 - Yazoo City, MS" on Facebook.


April 7 - 11International Week at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.). JSU hosts the program to honor the growing diverse culture on its campus. Includes a film festival, peace conference, parade of flags, ice cream social, the International Scholarship Banquet and more. Visit the website for a schedule. Admission varies, some events free; call 979-2121; jsums.edu.


Mon.-Sat., Fight Against Hunger at BRAVO!, Broad Street Bakery and Sal & Mookie's. Dine at participating restaurants and add a donation to Extra Table to your receipt. Donations welcome; extratable.org.


Mon.-Fri., Computer Courses for Adults at Hinds Community College, Raymond Campus (501 E. Main St., P.O. Box 1100, Raymond). Classes usually meet once a week for four to eight weeks, and fees depend on the level and type of class. Free; call 601-857-3773; email mfield@hindscc.edu.


Mon.-Fri., Senior Aides Program in Jackson. The city of Jackson offers the part-time job program to low-income seniors ages 55 and up. Receive assistance in finding a job during the training process. Applicants must have state ID, a Social Security card, proof of income and a utility bill. Free; call 601-960-0335.


Mon.-Fri. 2:30 p.m.-6 p.m., through April 30, Common Core After Hours Learning and Readiness Program at PERICO Institute (Jackson Medical Mall, 350 W. Woodrow Ave., Suite 300). The weekly program for children in grades K-12 includes English and language arts, math, science, and music and art appreciation. Registration required. Light snack included. $50 per week; call 769-251-1408; priydems.com.


Mon.-Sat., through May 5, Cinco de Mayo Raffle at Sombra, Anjou, Char and Amerigo . Buy raffle tickets for a chance to win a four-wheeler from Got Gear. The raffle is May 5 from 6-7:30 p.m at Sombra Mexican Kitchen (140 Township Avenue, Suite 100, Ridgeland). Proceeds benefit the Mississippi Burn Foundation. $10-$10; call 601-540-2995; email afontaine@msburn.org.


Mon.-Fri., through May 15, North Mississippi Fish Hatchery Youth Art Contest at Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (1505 Eastover Drive). Students must submit a portfolio including entry form and artwork by May 15. Winners in four age categories will have their work included in Mississippi Outdoors magazine and posted on foundationwfp.com. First-place winners get a free magazine. Free; call 662-563-8068; foundationmwfp.com.


Mon., 6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m., through May 26, ALS (Lou Gehrig's) Support Group at Methodist Rehabilitation Center (1350 E. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The group meets in the BankPlus Community Room on the second floor. Free; call 601-364-3326.


Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., through June 2, Tutoring Registration at Genesis and Light Center (4914 N. State St.). The center is accepting applications for its after-school program for ages 6-18 in math reading, and language arts. Applications accepted on weekdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call for details on cost; call 601-362-6736; email genesisandlight@att.net; genesisandlightcenter.com.


Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-8 p.m., through July 31, Private Tutoring in Jackson metro area. In-person and virtual tutoring available for students in grades K-12 in math, science and literacy. Registration required. $15-$50; je411.webs.com.



10 Local Stories of the Week - Jackson Free Press



Jackson developer David Watkins is fighting to either be a part of the team that finishes renovations on Farish Street or recover the money he put into the project, while fighting allegations from the secretary of state’s office that he committed securities fraud in 2011. Photo by Trip Burns




There's never a slow news week in Jackson, Miss., and last week was no exception. Here are the local stories JFP reporters brought you in case you missed them:



  1. The three members of the Jackson City Council who are running for mayor got ahead of the rumor-mill in interviews with the Jackson Free Press last week.

  2. The death sentences of Michelle Byrom (pictured) and Charles Crawford have put Mississippi in the midst of the controversy over what constitutes “cruel and unusual” in executions.

  3. Mississippi lawmakers have been hard at work to make lives harder on poor residents, who are the nation's poorest.

  4. Since 1996, Mississippi has taken over 15 districts for various reasons, including financial mismanagement and poor academic performance, and it is set to take over more schools this year.

  5. Several organizations from around the state rallied in Jackson's Smith Park Wednesday to urge policymakers to affirm the human rights of LGBT people.

  6. Jackson developer David Watkins is fighting to either be a part of the team that finishes renovations on Farish Street or recover the money he put into the project, while fighting allegations from the secretary of state’s office that he committed securities fraud in 2011.

  7. Stacey "Soul" Winters, owner of Soul Wired Cafe, is holding a crowd-funding campaign through Indiegogo.com to make improvements to the business.

  8. Candidates fielded several rounds of questions during the NAACP-sponsored forum that focused on their plans for their first 100 days, crime reduction, abandoned property, and the metro transit system.

  9. Five same-sex couples applied for marriage licenses Tuesday morning at the Hinds County courthouse in Jackson.

  10. In at least the fourth mayoral debate of the short campaign season, held Wednesday night and hosted by WLBT-TV and Jackson State University, several of the candidates showed that they are solidifying their positions on a number of issues.


Remember: Check the JFP Events planner for everything to do in the Jackson metro area. You can also add your own events (or send them to events@jacksonfreepress.com)! See JFPEvents.com


Read staff and reader blog posts at jfp.ms/weblogs (yes, you can register on the site and start your own blog!)



Protect the Innocent: End the Death Penalty - Jackson Free Press




An Innocent Woman? Michelle Byrom vs. Mississippi



Read Ronni Mott's March 19, 2014, story in the JFP that brought international attention to the tragic case of Michelle Byrom.



You can't make it up. A husband horribly abuses his mentally ill wife and his son for years, even forcing her to have sex with others to videotape.


Someone then kills the abuser. A nightmare of legal maneuvering then follows with her accused of paying another man to kill her husband, even as her son confesses to the murder several times, as does she once while under the influence of mind-altering drugs. The judge doesn't allow the jury to see evidence that might have helped her.


Meantime, neither the son nor the supposed hit man goes to prison for murder, and a newspaper quotes the prosecutor saying the alleged contract killer didn't actually do it.


The woman ends up on death row because, as often happens to poor people, her crappy attorneys can't figure out how to keep her from being executed.


Nowhere along the way does this mess of a prosecution and sentencing capture much of anyone's attention outside a handful of anti-death penalty folks. The Democratic attorney general of the state, Jim Hood, asks for a date for her execution, and there is no evidence that either he or the current GOP governor, Phil Bryant, gives a damn about whether she actually is innocent or not.


Because they're all tough-no-matter-whether-or-not-it-was-a-crime politicians.


Michelle Byrom is a textbook case of what is wrong with the state executions in Mississippi and the rest of the nation.


Even if you believe that the government should choose who to execute and that it's moral to take one life for another—which I don't—I'm guessing that most of you think taxpayers should only fund the killing of murderers who we're dang sure are guilty.


When someone is convicted for hiring someone the prosecutor said didn't kill anyone ... well, Mississippi, we have a problem.


The nightmare that is the death penalty in Mississippi is beyond a morality question. The citizens of this state have no guarantee that we are actually executing the people who did the crime. Our criminal-justice system has long been riddled with corruption (Quick: How many of you have paid to keep your kid out of jail at some point over the decades? Be honest with yourself at least), ineptness, and a lust for power that leads prosecutors and judges to do really bad things.


Start here in Hinds County. My friend Cedric Willis spent 12 years in Parchman for a double murder and rape because then-District Attorney Ed Peters' office didn't present the evidence that could have cleared him. The prosecutor on the case, Bobby DeLaughter, later became a judge and presided over many criminal cases. He, more recently, went to prison due to a bribery scheme involving former employer Peters.


I sure wish I had time to scrutinize every case those guys ever touched. I'm not saying I would find other problems, but how do these men's records lead to trust in our court decisions that, in turn, bolster our confidence about who is in prison and on death row and who is walking free?


The point is: There is no possible way Mississippians can be certain that all people on death row are guilty. Our system is too broken, and as the Byrom case shows, there is little, if any, Mississippi officialdom lining up to make sure that the state government doesn't kill or imprison innocent people.


It is easy to look at convicted murderers with bloodlust and a desire for revenge. I get it, and I've felt it myself.


But don't fool yourselves into thinking that the death penalty actually deters murders. For one thing, it's perhaps the most discriminatory institution this country embraces: It is biased against the poor and uneducated who do not have the connections or resources to keep themselves off death row.


Not to mention, I rather doubt someone suffering the kinds of abuse that Michelle's husband meted out would actually stop to think about whether or not they might be executed at some point before killing their abuser. The death penalty doesn't deter murders by the people likely to be executed.


The embrace of the death penalty by many in the United States is unusual on the world stage and especially among "civilized" nations that consider the practice barbarous and backward. We can talk all we want about human-rights violations in places like China and Iran, but that is the company we keep by allowing government executions in the U.S. In fact, the countries that execute the most people are, in this order: China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, United States, Pakistan, Yemen, North Korea, Vietnam and Libya.


The truth isn't that non-death-penalty nations are trying to be "softer" on crime. The research shows myriad problems with executions—from the to the costs and uselessness when it comes to actually preventing other murders.


Put another way, "civilized" rejection of executions means that other countries just might be facing the truth quicker than some in the United States are willing to.


Too much of that truth involves unethical judges and prosecutors who often run for office based on their toughness and, thus, are sometimes willing to hide evidence that might clear someone or, at least, keep them alive and in prison.


Consider some other tough truths: In Mississippi and beyond, most condemned murderers of any race killed a white person. A disproportionate number are black murderers—and usually for killing whites.


Since 1973, more than 138 people on death row have been exonerated in the U.S., including at least three in Mississippi. That means prosecutors, judges and juries are condemning innocent people. The scary part is that their case may or may not be reopened, and often only are because a zealous journalist (like Ronni Mott) did a story that went viral. We can only pray that saves Ms. Byrom.


But what about all the others on death row in Mississippi and beyond? There aren't enough journalists to investigate every case, and often the evidence is missing or buried too deep to find. Attorneys doing the Lord's work such as those with the Innocence Project (who helped free Cedric Willis) can't get to everyone, either, although they try.


And our leaders aren't exactly helping. Beyond turning their heads away from bad prosecution, the state's leaders aren't calling for enough scrutiny. The attorney general has defended the controversial work of medical examiner Steven Hayne, for instance, and the Legislature is actually giving judges more latitude and sentencing discretion, instead of being more concerned about what judges and prosecutors are up to—or hiding.


Meantime, the public simply cannot trust our criminal-justice system to get it right. That has been proved over and over again. As a result, the state of Mississippi must declare a moratorium on the death penalty. It is the only moral thing to do.


See jfp.ms/byrom to read more about the Michelle Byrom case and jfp.ms/cedric for Cedric Willis' story. Read about Haynes' work at jfp.ms/Edmonds.



Woman on Mississippi's death row gets new trial - MiamiHerald

The Associated Press



A death row inmate who prosecutors say recruited her son in a plot to kill her husband will get a new trial, the Mississippi Supreme Court ruled Monday in a rare order for a prisoner awaiting execution.


Michelle Byrom, now 57, was convicted of murder and sentenced to death in 2000 in Tishomingo County in the killing of her husband, Edward "Eddie" Byrom Sr., and for recruiting her son in the plot. Byrom Sr. was fatally shot on June 4, 1999, at the couple's home in Iuka.


Byrom's attorneys say they have new evidence in the case, and Byrom now argues her son committed the slaying. She argues in court briefs that her son confessed in conversations with a forensic psychologist. She argues the statements were discussed with the trial judge but were never revealed to Michelle Byrom or her attorneys before her trial. She also says the psychologist was not allowed to testify about them.


In the high court's two-page order, Justice Josiah D. Coleman said the original trial judge, Circuit Judge Thomas J. Gardner, will not preside over Byrom's re-trial. Coleman said the circuit court in Tishomingo County will assign another judge to the case.


The high court did not elaborate on how it reached its decision. Coleman said, however, the high court's decision was "extraordinary and extremely rare in the context of a petition for leave to pursue post-conviction relief."


Mississippi has one other woman on death row, but the state has not executed a woman since 1944.


State Attorney General Jim Hood did not immediately respond to requests for comment.


David Voisin, a Jackson attorney working with Michelle Byrom's legal team, said in a statement Monday that the decision gives Byrom "a fair opportunity to have her case heard in court.


"Michelle suffered extreme sexual and physical abuse from an early age and throughout her marriage. We are pleased that Ms. Byrom will now have the opportunity to present the overwhelming evidence that she is innocent of murder-for-hire," Voisin said.


State and federal courts have in the past denied Byrom's arguments that she should not be put to death because she was sexually and physically abused by her husband.


Hood asked in February for the court to set Byrom's execution for this past week. The Supreme Court denied that request last Thursday.


Prosecutors said Michelle Byrom killed her husband of 20 years for money, and that she planned to pay a hit man $15,000 with proceeds from the estate, estimated at more than $350,000.


In a rare move, she asked Gardner, instead of the jury, to decide whether she should serve life in prison or be put to death. Gardner sentenced her to death.


Eddie Byrom Jr. testified against his mother during the trial as part of a plea bargain. He later pleaded guilty to several charges in the murder-for-hire scheme, including conspiracy to commit murder. Gardner sentenced him to 50 years in prison with 20 years suspended.


Joseph Dale Gillis, who was described in court documents as the hit man, pleaded guilty to lesser charges of conspiracy to commit capital murder and accessory after the fact. He was sentenced to 15 years in prison.


Byrom Jr. testified that his mother asked him to talk to some of his friends about killing his father. He said she would pay $10,000 in the murder-for-hire scheme with the money to come from an expected insurance policy.


Michelle Byrom argued her son told the psychologist that he had been physically and emotionally abused by his father and that he shot his father for his own reasons.


Hood has said Michelle Byrom has run out of appeals. He said in court briefs that she was arguing that her attorney didn't do a good job — an issue Hood said was addressed in past appeals and denied. The attorney general's office said Byrom cannot argue issues that never came up at trial.



Margaret Hoelzer - Jackson Free Press


As a 5-year-old, Olympian Margaret Hoelzer didn't realize her best friend's father was sexually abusing her.


"I didn't connect the dots, other than feeling uncomfortable. I think, on a subconscious level, I knew it. But consciously, I didn't," she told the Seattle Times in 2008.


Hoelzer often went to the friend's house and frequently stayed the night.


"It was definitely a situation where I was taught to trust that person," she said in that interview.


It wasn't until a few years later that she realized what had happened. She told a friend, who immediately told her that she should tell her mother. Hoelzer and her mother estimated that her friend's father had abused her for about two years. The abuse stopped when her friend's family moved away from Huntsville, Ala., where Hoelzer grew up.


Though her abuser was eventually arrested, no charges stuck due a lack of evidence and the length of time between the abuse and the arrest.


Hoelzer found swimming when she was 8 years old.


"I always felt like swimming was the one thing I could control," she said to the Seattle Times. "I can't control other people. I can't control whether or not I beat someone, or how they swim. But I could control how good I was."


After getting a degree in psychology with a minor in criminology from Auburn University, Hoelzer went on to win three medals—two silver and one bronze—at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Today she is a world champion and an advocate against child abuse.


Hoelzer, who is the national spokeswoman for the National Children's Advocacy Center, will be the keynote speaker at the "One Loud Voice" conference. The conference brings national experts together to talk about child abuse and trauma. "One Loud Voice" begins tomorrow morning, April 1, at the Marriott Hotel in downtown Jackson (200 E. Amite St.) at 10:30 a.m., and continues through Wednesday. Registration for the two-day event is $99 and is open to the public.



Community Meetings and Events - Jackson Free Press



Community Meetings


Monday, March 31


6 p.m.-8 p.m., wii-FM (What's In It For Me) Community Forum at Afrikan Art Gallery and Gift Shop (612 N. Farish St.). The topic is "Demanding Respect for Our Black Dollars." Dr. Ivory Phillips is the guest speaker. Free; call 601-201-0871 or 601-918-5075.


Tuesday, April 1


11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Freedom Summer Luncheon Dialogue at Hattiesburg Cultural Center (723 Main St., Hattiesburg). Raphael Scott Waldrop of Hattiesburg High School speaks on the topic "Bridging the Achievement Gap." Students from the high school also perform. Free; call 601-583-6005; hattiesburgartscouncil.org.


noon, Women for Progress Lunch and Learn: Conversation with the Candidates at The Penguin Restaurant & Bar (1100 John R. Lynch St.). Attorney Pamela Shaw moderates the forum. RSVP. Limited seating. $15; call 601-405-4478; email mail@womenforprogress.net; womenforprogress.net.


noon-1 p.m., First Tuesday Lecture at Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive). Alex Littlejohn of The Nature Conservancy talks about the organization's 25-year history in Mississippi. Museum admission applies; call 601-576-6000; msnaturalscience.org.


5:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m., Women's Foundation Fifth Anniversary Celebration at Women's Foundation of Mississippi (Plaza Building, 120 N. Congress St., Suite 903). Find out what's currently happening with the Women's Foundation. Office supply donations welcome. RSVP. Free; call 601-326-3001.


Wednesday, April 2


noon, History Is Lunch at William F. Winter Archives and History Building (200 North St.). MDAH historic resources specialist Caroline Gray-Primer presents "The Life and Sacrifice of PFC Milton L. Olive III." Free; call 601-576-6998; mdah.state.ms.us.


Thursday, April 3


6 p.m., Precinct 1 COPS Meeting at Jackson Police Department, Precinct 1 (810 Cooper Road). These monthly forums are designed to help resolve community issues or problems, from crime to potholes. Free; call 601-960-0001.


Friday, April 4


Top 40 Under 40 Luncheon April 4, at Hilton Jackson (1001 E. County Line Road). Young business leaders receive awards for their contributions to the Mississippi economy. Admission TBA; call 957-2800; email tami.jones@msbusiness.com or marcia.kelly@msbusiness.com.


8 a.m.-9 a.m., Coffee and Contacts at ITT Technical Institute (382 Galleria Parkway, Madison). The Madison County Chamber of Commerce hosts the fast-paces business card exchange and networking hour. Free; call 601-607-4500; email info@madisoncountychamber.org.


10 a.m.-2 p.m., Jackson Mayoral Debate at Mississippi College School of Law (151 E. Griffith St.). Candidates for mayor of Jackson participate in a Q&A session. Free; wapt.com.


Saturday, April 5


8:30 a.m., Rankin County Democrats Monthly at Corner Bakery, Flowood (108 Market St., Flowood). On first Saturdays at 8:30am, Jackson-area Democrats meet for breakfast and discuss current political activities. Open to the public. Free with food for sale Free with food for sale; call 601-919-9797; rankindemocrats.net.


9 a.m.-5 p.m., Homebuyer Workshop at Warren G. Hood Building (200 S. President St.). In the Andrew Jackson Conference Room, first floor. Mississippi Home of Your Own (HOYO) empowers people with disabilities to become homeowners through grants and support systems. Residents in Hinds and surrounding counties are welcome. Free; call 866-883-4474.


10 a.m.-3 p.m., Young Democrats of Mississippi Convention The biennial convention is for Democrats ages 35 and under. Includes lunch. Registration required. $10 per person, $25 filing fee per chapter; call 601-969-2913; email ouida@mississippidemocrats.org; mississippidemocrats.org.


Monday, April 7


9 a.m., Hinds County Board of Supervisors at Hinds County Chancery Court (316 S. President St.). The board holds its regular meeting, open to the public. Free; call 601-968-6501; co.hinds.ms.us.


Community Events


Monday, March 31


10:30 a.m., "Tee it Up" Golf Tournament at Annandale Golf Club (419 Annandale Parkway, Madison). The Greater Jackson Chamber Partnership's event is open to all members, business and industry. Registration is at 10:30 a.m., lunch and a putting contest is at 11 a.m., and tee time is at 12:30 p.m. Sponsorships available. $200, $750 team of four; call 601-948-7575; email nlowery@greaterjacksonpartnership.com; greaterjacksonpartnership.com.


Thursday, April 3


5 p.m.-8 p.m., Fondren After 5 at Fondren. This monthly event is a showcase of the local shops, galleries and restaurants of the Fondren neighborhood. Includes live music, food and vendors. Free; call 601-981-9606; email newfondrenafter5@gmail.com (artists, crafters and musicians); fondren.org.


5 p.m.-6:30 p.m., Jackson Transplant Social April 3, at Sal & Mookie's New York Pizza and Ice Cream Joint (565 Taylor St.). New Jackson residents from other states are welcome to enjoy free food, prizes and music from Physics for Poets. Free; call 368-1919; find Figment Jackson on Facebook.


6 p.m., Precinct 1 COPS Meeting at Jackson Police Department, Precinct 1 (810 Cooper Road). These monthly forums are designed to help resolve community issues or problems, from crime to potholes. Free; call 601-960-0001.


Friday, April 4


8 a.m.-2 p.m., Mississippi Foreign Language Fair at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.). In the Dollye M.E. Robinson Liberal Arts Building. Students are tested on their language skills through speaking, projects, singing and dancing for a chance to win prizes. Free; call 601-979-2249 or 601-979-2866; email herd.e.graves@jsums.edu.


9 a.m.-5 p.m., Muddy Waters Birthday Celebration at Delta Blues Museum (1 Blues Alley Lane, Clarksdale). Includes cupcakes throughout the day and a presentation from author Terry Abrahamson on his book "In the Belly of the Blues" at 4 p.m. Free; call 662-627-6820; deltabluesmuseum.org.


7 p.m.-11 p.m., Hawaiian Breezes Drawdown at Canton Multipurpose Complex (501 Soldier Colony Road, Canton). The fundraiser includes a $5,000 drawdown, dinner and a silent auction. Island attire welcome. Proceeds benefit Our Daily Bread Ministries' feeding programs. For ages 21 and up. $50 per couple, $25 second chance insurance (optional); call 601-859-9211 or 601-906-2617; ourdailybreadms.com.


Saturday, April 5


8 a.m., Racin' for the Seed at Fannin Landing Park (Fannin Landing Circle, Brandon). The race includes a 5K run/walk and a duathlon (two 5K run/walks with a 15-mile bike ride in between). Proceeds benefit The Mustard Seed. $30 5K only, duathlon: $50 individual; $35 per relay team member; call 601-992-3556; racinfortheseed.com.


8 a.m.-11:45 a.m., Get2College ACT Workshops at Mississippi College School of Law (151 E. Griffith St.). Includes an overview of mathematics, science, English and reading subject areas, score-improving tips, time-saving strategies and resource materials. Free; call 601-321-5533.


8 a.m.-noon, Jackson Audubon Society First Saturday Bird Walk at LeFleur's Bluff State Park (2140 Riverside Drive). An expert birder leads the walk. Bring binoculars, water, insect repellent and a snack. Call ahead if you would like to borrow a pair of binoculars. Adults must accompany children under 15. Free, $3 car entrance fee. Free; call 601-832-6788.


9 a.m., Youth Fishing Rodeo at Turcotte Lab (506 Highway 43 S., Canton). The event is for children ages 15 and under. Bring fishing gear, catfish bait and stringers. Free; call 601-656-7376 or 601-432-2209; mdwfp.com.


10 a.m., Gateway to History Celebration at Town of Livingston (Highway 463 and Highway 22, Madison). The events includes arts and crafts vendors, a ribbon cutting, a daffodil planting, and music from Bogen Ridge and local gospel singers. Free; call 601-898-0212; find Gateway to History on Facebook.


10 a.m.-2 p.m., Emerging Young Leaders (EYL) Youth Summit at New Hope Baptist Church (5202 Watkins Drive). The Rho Lambda Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority hosts the event for youth in grades 6-8. Parents welcome. Includes advice on life skills, a college fair, lunch and snacks. Register by March 22. Free; call 601-668-3248; email eyl.akarho@gmail.com.


10 a.m.-5 p.m., NatureFEST! at Mississippi Museum of Natural Science (2148 Riverside Drive). The annual festival includes exotic animal encounters, a behind-the-scenes tour of the museum's collections chats with scientists and prizes. Magician Robert Day performs. Admission includes one free poster per family. $4-$6; call 601-576-6000; msnaturalscience.org.


10 a.m.-7 p.m., Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival at Renaissance at Colony Park (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland). The annual festival includes an art show and sale, craft demonstrations, children's activities and live music. Free; call 601-519-0900; ridgelandartsfest.com.


10:30 a.m.-2 p.m., Jazzy Jean Brunch at Fondren Hall (4330 N. State St.). Enjoy music from local jazz artists, local vendors, a fashion showcase and a silent auction. The event is a fundraiser for Coleman Alexander Prosser (CAP) Inc. and the Beta Delta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority. $50-$50; call stephanie.i.chatman@gmail.com or kbyrd79@gmail.com.


7 p.m., All About Love Seminar at Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame and Museum (1152 Lakeland Drive). Author Tony Gaskins speaks on relationship issues such as finding love, self-love, infidelity and more. Limited seating. $25; call 982-8264; allaboutthelove.eventbrite.com.


Sunday, April 6


11 a.m.-5 p.m., Ridgeland Fine Arts Festival at Renaissance at Colony Park (1000 Highland Colony Parkway, Ridgeland). The annual festival includes an art show and sale, craft demonstrations, children's activities and live music. Free; call 601-519-0900; ridgelandartsfest.com.


12:30 p.m., Scholastic Art Awards Mississippi Regional Competition at Mississippi Museum of Art (380 S. Lamar St.). The reception is first, and the awards ceremony follows at 2 p.m. Participants are students in grades 7-12, and Gold Key winners move on to the national competition. Free; call 601-960-1515; msmuseumart.org.


Ongoing


April 5 - 12, Monarch Festival at Clinton Community Nature Center (617 Dunton Road, Clinton). The annual event includes a monarch rescue, a haiku contest and a walkathon. Details pending. Free; call 601-926-1104; email clintonnaturecenter@gmail.com; clintonnaturecenter.org.


April 4 - 6, Louisiana Collegiate Wake Tour at Wolf Lake (1224 Erickson Road, Yazoo City). Riders from Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee participate in the wakeboarding competition. Includes meals, awards and the Red Bull Party wit DJ Digital and DJ Beverly. USA Waterski membership required to register. $35 per rider, $75 per new team; find "LCWT - Stop 3 - Yazoo City, MS" on Facebook.


April 7 - 11International Week at Jackson State University (1400 John R. Lynch St.). JSU hosts the program to honor the growing diverse culture on its campus. Includes a film festival, peace conference, parade of flags, ice cream social, the International Scholarship Banquet and more. Visit the website for a schedule. Admission varies, some events free; call 979-2121; jsums.edu.


Mon.-Sat., Fight Against Hunger at BRAVO!, Broad Street Bakery and Sal & Mookie's. Dine at participating restaurants and add a donation to Extra Table to your receipt. Donations welcome; extratable.org.


Mon.-Fri., Computer Courses for Adults at Hinds Community College, Raymond Campus (501 E. Main St., P.O. Box 1100, Raymond). Classes usually meet once a week for four to eight weeks, and fees depend on the level and type of class. Free; call 601-857-3773; email mfield@hindscc.edu.


Mon.-Fri., Senior Aides Program in Jackson. The city of Jackson offers the part-time job program to low-income seniors ages 55 and up. Receive assistance in finding a job during the training process. Applicants must have state ID, a Social Security card, proof of income and a utility bill. Free; call 601-960-0335.


Mon.-Fri. 2:30 p.m.-6 p.m., through April 30, Common Core After Hours Learning and Readiness Program at PERICO Institute (Jackson Medical Mall, 350 W. Woodrow Ave., Suite 300). The weekly program for children in grades K-12 includes English and language arts, math, science, and music and art appreciation. Registration required. Light snack included. $50 per week; call 769-251-1408; priydems.com.


Mon.-Sat., through May 5, Cinco de Mayo Raffle at Sombra, Anjou, Char and Amerigo . Buy raffle tickets for a chance to win a four-wheeler from Got Gear. The raffle is May 5 from 6-7:30 p.m at Sombra Mexican Kitchen (140 Township Avenue, Suite 100, Ridgeland). Proceeds benefit the Mississippi Burn Foundation. $10-$10; call 601-540-2995; email afontaine@msburn.org.


Mon.-Fri., through May 15, North Mississippi Fish Hatchery Youth Art Contest at Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (1505 Eastover Drive). Students must submit a portfolio including entry form and artwork by May 15. Winners in four age categories will have their work included in Mississippi Outdoors magazine and posted on foundationwfp.com. First-place winners get a free magazine. Free; call 662-563-8068; foundationmwfp.com.


Mon., 6:30 p.m.-7:45 p.m., through May 26, ALS (Lou Gehrig's) Support Group at Methodist Rehabilitation Center (1350 E. Woodrow Wilson Ave.). The group meets in the BankPlus Community Room on the second floor. Free; call 601-364-3326.


Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., through June 2, Tutoring Registration at Genesis and Light Center (4914 N. State St.). The center is accepting applications for its after-school program for ages 6-18 in math reading, and language arts. Applications accepted on weekdays from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Call for details on cost; call 601-362-6736; email genesisandlight@att.net; genesisandlightcenter.com.


Mon.-Sat. 8 a.m.-8 p.m., through July 31, Private Tutoring in Jackson metro area. In-person and virtual tutoring available for students in grades K-12 in math, science and literacy. Registration required. $15-$50; je411.webs.com.