3 JPD officers on leave after man dies in police custody

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Three Jackson police officers are now on administrative leave after a man died while in custody.

The man has been identified as 41-year-old Keith Murriel. The Hinds County coroner says the man was pronounced dead at the scene and an autopsy is underway.

According to officials, the incident happened on Saturday, December 31, at 7:30 p.m. on 572 E. Beasley Road.

While at the home, officers took a man into custody who experienced a medical emergency, a statement read.

American Medical Response was called to the home to render aid, however, the man, who has not been named, was pronounced dead on the scene.

The Mississippi Bureau of Investigation is independently investigating the incident, the statement said, and the Jackson Police Department has opened an internal investigation.

“Officers Avery Willis, Kenya McCarty, and James Land were placed on administrative leave with pay pending the outcome of an Internal Affairs investigation,” according to the statement.

McCarty was arrested by Flowood Police in 2021 after being found with marijuana at Nature Trail Park. McCarty was placed on leave at that time pending an investigation.

Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba also released a statement on the situation, writing, “The loss of life is always tragic and we remain committed to transparency. At this time, we do not have any additional comment as we allow the investigation to continue.”

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