Columbus officials are mulling offering rewards for information to help the investigation of four murder cases, according to Mayor Robert Smith.
A final decision has yet to be made, but Smith indicated he supported the idea if it helps move the cases forward. He said it’s possible that victims’ families might want to contribute to the potential rewards, but he expects the city would offer the bulk of any reward money.
“This is something that we are making sure we can do from a legal standpoint because it is taxpayers’ money,” Smith said. “But we want the community to know that we are concerned about these crimes.”
City Attorney Jeff Turnage said state law authorizes municipalities to pay rewards for information that leads to a conviction.
Mississippi Code section 99-3-39 says cities can offer monetary rewards from their general funds for information leading to the “apprehension of any person subsequently convicted of any crime or misdemeanor” committed in the state. The statute says the reward can amount up to $15,000 and cannot be paid to a law enforcement officer, city employee or an immediate family member of either.
Police are still seeking suspects in four murder investigations launched this year, which is half of the murders reported in Columbus so far in 2016.
Officers are actively investigating the cases of 18-year-old D’Shawn Dee Boyd, who was found dead from gunshot wounds on Nov. 28; Rodrick Davis, 42, who was found dead in a home on Burgundy Drive on Oct. 27; Charles Moody Jr., 23, who was fatally shot on Sept. 19; and Freddie Robinson, 25, who died after being shot during an attempted robbery at a residence on 10th Avenue South.
Officials have pleaded with the community to offer information on the murders. Last week, Police Chief Oscar Lewis and Capt. Brent Swan held a press conference imploring the public to come forward with information.
On Wednesday, Smith told The Dispatch people seem to be afraid to approach officials.
“We are finding that a lot of victims are afraid that if they give information, there will be some sort of repercussions in the form of retaliation,” Smith said.
City has done it before
Assistant Police Chief Fred Shelton told The Dispatch the city has offered rewards for information in the past. For example, he said the city offered rewards from a mixture of city money and private donations for information on five murders — 78-year-old Mack Fowler, 75-year-old George Wilbanks, 61-year-old Robert Hannah, 80-year-old Louise Randall, and 67-year-old Betty Everett — that occurred from 1996 to 1998. Those investigations remain open, but Shelton said the offer helped bring suggestions forward to the department.
He also pointed out that a reward can only be given if it leads to an arrest or further development in the case.
“We can’t just pay haphazardly,” he said. “But if we’re given specific information where we can take and develop that into a solid lead that’s going to result in an arrest, then that’s absolutely good.”
Shelton said police typically turn to considering rewards for information once all other avenues to investigate a crime have been exhausted. He said they’re also typically only used for murders or other serious crimes.
“All of them are important but there are, for lack of a better word, some high-profile cases that cause major concern for the community,” he said.
Shelton said one particularly concerning factor with the four most recent cases is that the victims are relatively young. Robinson, the oldest victim, was only 42 years old.
Ward 2 Councilman Joseph Mickens said he supports the city taking whatever steps are necessary to encourage citizens to help with investigations. He said the city has to find ways to get the community more involved.
“Something needs to be done,” he said. “I have no problem with any idea from anybody (or) entertaining any idea. If they feel like it’ll work, I’m 100 percent behind them. We need to do something.”
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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