OXFORD — A federal judge in Oxford has dismissed a wrongful imprisonment lawsuit filed by Tyler Edmonds.
The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports that U.S. District Judge Neal Biggers Jr. on Tuesday ruled that law enforcement officers did nothing unconstitutional in the handling of Edmonds” confession in 2003.
Edmonds and his mother, Sharon Clay, sued Oktibbeha County in 2009, saying Edmonds was wrongfully convicted of murder “based on an alleged coerced confession taken by law enforcement officers.”
Edmonds, who was 14 at the time, was arrested May 12, 2003, and accused in the death of Joey Fulgham, who was married to Edmonds” half-sister, Kristi Fulgham.
His confession reportedly came after Edmonds and his mother were separated, and then Kristi told him to “tell them” what he had done. Edmonds was convicted and sentenced to life in prison, but a second trial jury acquitted him.
Kristi Fulgham is serving a life sentence for her role in the killing.
Biggers said Edmonds” rights were not violated by law enforcement. He also rejected Clay”s claim she had the right to be present during Edmonds” interrogation.
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