Video: Grand Jury Clears Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy

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LEE COUNTY, Miss. (WCBI) — A Grand Jury has found that a Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy was justified when he shot a suspect last month who fled from police during a traffic stop.

On Sept. 30, 52-year-old John Newell led Tupelo police on a chase after officers tried to stop him for a traffic violation.

Newell ran from his vehicle in Lee County and hid in a wooded area. A Lee County Sheriff’s Deputy came upon Newell, who pointed a gun at the deputy. The deputy shot Newell, who was hospitalized and is now being held in the Lee County Jail.

The Itawamba County Sheriff’s Department was called in to investigate the case, and evidence was presented to the Lee County Grand Jury. The Grand Jury found the shooting was justified.

“That’s 21 individuals that is impaneled that, at the direction of the District Attorney’s office, tells them exactly what is right and wrong, and what is justified, and they heard the entire case from front to end as though they were there and they cleared him as well,” Lee County Sheriff Jim Johnson Said. “So, it substantiates what we thought. This particular officer was trained as he should, reacted in a stressful situation as he should and we’re proud he’s still here with us.”

The Grand Jury indicted Newell as a habitual offender on the following charges: possession of morphine, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, felony fleeing, felony DUI and aggravated assault on a police officer.

The deputy has been on administrative leave and will be able to return to duty immediately.