Six Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Sentenced for Torturing and Abusing Two Black Men

Rankin County, Mississippi United States of America
Six former Mississippi law enforcement officers were sentenced this week for torturing and abusing two Black men in Rankin County, Mississippi.
The defendants admitted that on January 24th, 2023 they entered the home without probable cause or any exigent circumstances. They handcuffed and arrested the men without reasonable suspicion.
They called them racial slurs and punched, kicked tased and assaulted them with other objects.
Six Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Sentenced for Torturing and Abusing Two Black Men

Six former Mississippi law enforcement officers were sentenced this week for torturing and abusing two Black men in Rankin County, Mississippi. The defendants admitted that on January 24th, 2023 they entered the home without probable cause or any exigent circumstances. They handcuffed and arrested the men without reasonable suspicion, called them racial slurs and punched, kicked tased and assaulted them with other objects.


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Confidence

80%

Doubts
  • It is unclear if there was any evidence of a crime committed by the victims.
  • The defendants may have been motivated by bias or prejudice rather than following proper police procedures.

Sources

78%

The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
(Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

The ‘Goon Squad’ case yielded stiff sentences. Still, some Black Mississippians wonder how much has really changed

CNN News Site: In-Depth Reporting and Analysis with Some Financial Conflicts and Sensational Language Emma Tucker Saturday, 23 March 2024 13:17
  • Unique Points
    • , Priscilla Williams Till, a cousin of Emmett Till's mother, thought of her own son while discussing the events that defined the week in Rankin County, Mississippi.
    • The officers illegally went into a woman Parker had been caring for last January and handcuffed, kicked, waterboarded, tased and sexually assaulted Parker and Jenkins over nearly two hours before one put a gun in Jenkins' mouth and pulled the trigger in a mock execution.
    • The defendants admitted that on January 24th, 2023 they entered the home without probable cause or any exigent circumstances. They handcuffed and arrested the men without reasonable suspicion, called them racial slurs and punched, kicked tased and assaulted them with other objects.
  • Accuracy
    • The Goon Squad case yielded stiff sentences.
    • Till picked up her phone and dialed her 'baby'. He didn't pick up.
  • Deception (100%)
    None Found At Time Of Publication
  • Fallacies (75%)
    The article contains an appeal to authority fallacy by citing the conviction of six white law enforcement officers for their actions. The author also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing the lynching of Emmett Till as a 'shocking touchstone' and implies that it is still relevant today, which could be seen as an appeal to emotion fallacy.
    • The now-former officers...were sentenced at Jackson’s federal courthouse to 10 to 40 years each in prison.
  • Bias (85%)
    Emma Tucker's article on the 'Goon Squad' case in Rankin County, Mississippi does not contain any overt bias. However, there is a disproportionate number of quotes from Black individuals expressing concern about their safety and the safety of their children.
    • I haven’t talked to him today, and that’s unusual,
    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
      None Found At Time Of Publication
    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
      Emma Tucker has conflicts of interest on the topics of Goon Squad case, Black Mississippians, Emmett Till's mother and Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker. She also uses racial slurs in her article.
      • The author mentions that some Black Mississippians wonder how much progress has been made since the Goon Squad case was resolved. This suggests a personal connection to the topic of race relations in Mississippi, which could compromise her ability to report on it objectively.

      86%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      All 6 officers from Mississippi "Goon Squad" have been sentenced to prison for torturing 2 Black men

      CBS News Site: https://www.cbsnews.com/articles/about-us/ Saturday, 23 March 2024 16:57
      • Unique Points
        • The six white former officers in Mississippi who pleaded guilty to breaking into a home without a warrant and torturing two Black men have been sentenced.
        • High-ranking former deputy Brett McAlpin received a sentence of about 27 years, while the final member of the group, Joshua Hartfield was given a sentence of about 10 years.
      • Accuracy
        No Contradictions at Time Of Publication
      • Deception (50%)
        The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author does not disclose their sources or provide any context for the story. Secondly, the title of the article implies that all six officers have been sentenced to prison when only five have been sentenced so far. Thirdly, while it is true that McAlpin apologized to victims Michael Corey Jenkins and Eddie Terrell Parker before his sentencing, he did not look at them as he spoke. Fourthly, the article does not provide any evidence of bias or fallacies in its reporting.
        • The title implies all six officers have been sentenced when only five have been sentenced so far.
      • Fallacies (85%)
        The article contains several examples of informal fallacies. The author uses an appeal to authority by stating that the officers have been sentenced and providing details about their sentences without any context or explanation for why they were convicted. This is a form of hasty generalization as it assumes that the sentence implies guilt, which may not be true in all cases. Additionally, there are several examples of inflammatory rhetoric used throughout the article such as
        • The officers mocked the victims with racial slurs and shocked them with stun guns.
        • They handcuffed them and poured milk, alcohol and chocolate syrup over their faces. Dedmon and Opdyke assaulted them with a sex toy.
        • McAlpin pressured Parker to go along with it, asking him to keep quiet in exchange for his freedom.
      • Bias (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication

      91%

      The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
      (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

      A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

      Six Former Mississippi Law Enforcement Officers Sentenced for Torturing and Abusing Two Black Men

      Department of Justice Thursday, 21 March 2024 21:11
      • Unique Points
        • Six former Mississippi law enforcement officers were sentenced this week for torturing and abusing two Black men in Rankin County, Mississippi.
        • The defendants admitted that on January 24th, 2023 they entered the home without probable cause or any exigent circumstances. They handcuffed and arrested the men without reasonable suspicion, called them racial slurs and punched, kicked tased and assaulted them with other objects.
      • Accuracy
        • The defendants admitted that on January 24th, 2023 they entered the home without probable cause or any exigent circumstances. They handcuffed and arrested the men without reasonable suspicion.
        • During this incident one of the defendants fired his gun in MJ's mouth breaking his jaw. The defendants did not provide medical aid to him but instead gathered outside to come up with a cover story as he lay bleeding on the floor.
      • Deception (100%)
        None Found At Time Of Publication
      • Fallacies (95%)
        The article contains several examples of dehumanization and abuse of power by the defendants. They used excessive force without probable cause or legal justification, called racial slurs to intimidate their victims, and engaged in a cover-up after one defendant accidentally shot himself while attempting to silence his victim. The use of physical violence against innocent people is a violation of civil rights and undermines the trust between law enforcement officers and the communities they serve.
        • The defendants kicked in the door, handcuffed, arrested two Black men without probable cause or legal justification.
      • Bias (85%)
        The article contains several examples of bias. The author uses inflammatory language such as 'depravity', 'atrocious set of civil rights violations' and 'violated their oaths'. They also use loaded words like 'racial slurs' which is a highly charged term that can be seen as biased. Additionally, the article contains several examples of monetary bias such as mentioning the lengthy sentences imposed on the defendants.
        • atrocious set of civil rights violations
          • depravity
            • racial slurs
              • violated their oaths
              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                None Found At Time Of Publication

              78%

              The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
              (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

              A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

              Here's what happens if Trump can't pay his $454 million bond

              National Public Radio (NPR) Tuesday, 19 March 2024 00:00
              • Unique Points
                None Found At Time Of Publication
              • Accuracy
                • Former President Trump says he can't secure a bond to appeal the $454 million penalty in his civil fraud case.
                • To get a bond, Trump would need assets worth at least $1 billion in cash, which he doesn't have.
              • Deception (50%)
                The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, it states that Trump can't secure a bond to appeal the $454 million penalty in his civil fraud case but then goes on to say that he doesn't have to actually pay that money now and only needs to get a company to make a guarantee. This contradicts itself as if he has the funds, why does he need someone else's guarantee? Secondly, it states that Trump can be forced by New York Attorney General Letitia James to seize his assets but then goes on to say that she could also send a sheriff or marshal to enforce the judgment and there are many more opportunities for delay. This contradicts itself as if he has no funds, why would they need someone else's guarantee? Thirdly, it states that Trump can be held in contempt of court but then goes on to say that Engoran, the judge here in New York, would be quick to hold him in contempt of court. This contradicts itself as if he has no funds and is not able to pay his bond.
                • The article states that Trump can be held in contempt of court but then goes on to state that Engoron, the judge here in New York would be quick to hold him in contempt of court.
                • The article states that Trump can't secure a bond but then goes on to say that he doesn't have the funds.
                • The article states that New York Attorney General Letitia James could send a sheriff or marshal of the city of New York to go walk into a financial institution holding what is known as an execution and empty his bank account short of $3,000 which is the statutory floor but then goes on to say that he has no funds.
              • Fallacies (95%)
                There are a few potential fallacies in this article. Firstly, there is an appeal to authority when the former assistant attorney general in New York Adam Pollock is quoted as saying that Trump would have to put up the full amount for his bond if he wants to stop enforcement of the judgment (appeal to authority because Pollock is presented as an expert). Secondly, there could be a dichotomous depiction when it is mentioned that Trump has either $450 million in cash or nothing at all. Thirdly, there may be inflammatory rhetoric when it is stated that Trump would have to sell his properties in a 'fire sale' if he were to sell them quickly.
                • But if you want to bond the appeal – stop enforcement of the judgment – you have to put up the full amount, Pollock told Morning Edition.
                • Trump said Tuesday that would be a ‘fire sale’,
              • Bias (85%)
                The article is biased towards the former president Donald Trump. The author uses language that dehumanizes and demonizes him by calling his actions a 'decade-long conspiracy to lie about the value of their assets' and saying he owes $454 million in penalties for civil fraud. The author also portrays Trump as being unable to find a company willing to put up the bond, which is presented as an insurmountable obstacle rather than a reasonable request that could be met with some effort. Additionally, the article presents Trump's legal team's efforts to stay the judgment and appeal as futile attempts at delaying justice.
                • The article presents Trump's legal team's efforts to stay the judgment and appeal as futile attempts at delaying justice.
                  • The author portrays Trump as being unable to find a company willing to put up the bond, which is presented as an insurmountable obstacle rather than a reasonable request that could be met with some effort.
                    • The author uses language such as 'decade-long conspiracy to lie about the value of their assets'
                    • Site Conflicts Of Interest (100%)
                      None Found At Time Of Publication
                    • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                      None Found At Time Of Publication

                    79%

                    The overall score is a weighted number that takes into account conflict of interest, bias, deception and other practices that undermine the credibility of the source. It is calculated as:
                    (Site Conflicts Of Interest + Author Conflicts Of Interest) / 2.0 * 0.2 + ArticleBiasScore * 0.20 + UniquePointsScore * 0.05 + DeceptionScore * 0.20 + ReadabilityScore * 0.05 + FallacyScore * 0.20

                    A score that takes into consideration the content for flow, interruptions with ads, and overt search engine optimization techniques that makes the content hard to understand

                    White ex-officers in Mississippi plead guilty to racist assault on 2 Black men during raid

                    The Associated Press News Thursday, 03 August 2023 17:40
                    • Unique Points
                      • Six former Mississippi police officers, including some calling themselves 'The Goon Squad', pleaded guilty to a racist assault on two Black men during a raid.
                      • One victim was shot in the mouth by an officer, which went awry. The officers conspired to plant evidence instead of providing medical aid.
                    • Accuracy
                      • The officers entered the house without a warrant and assaulted the men with a sex toy and using stun guns and other objects for roughly 90 minutes.
                    • Deception (90%)
                      The article is deceptive in several ways. Firstly, the author does not disclose their sources or provide any context for the information presented. Secondly, the article uses sensationalist language such as 'mock execution' and 'tortured', which are exaggerations of what actually happened during the raid. Thirdly, there is no evidence to suggest that these officers acted on behalf of a larger conspiracy or systemic racism within law enforcement. Fourthly, while it is true that this incident has led to increased scrutiny of police brutality in America following George Floyd's killing and Tyre Nichols beating death, the article does not provide any new information about these events beyond what was already known at the time of publication.
                      • There is no evidence presented in this article to suggest that these officers acted on behalf of a larger conspiracy or systemic racism within law enforcement. The author uses sensationalist language such as 'tortured' to describe the actions taken by these officers, but there is no concrete proof of any wrongdoing beyond what was already known at the time.
                      • The author uses sensationalist language such as 'mock execution' to describe an incident where one victim was shot in the mouth during a raid. This is a deceptive exaggeration of what actually happened and does not accurately reflect the events that took place.
                      • The article does not provide any new information about George Floyd's killing or Tyre Nichols beating death. It simply references these events in passing and uses them as a way to frame this specific incident.
                    • Fallacies (85%)
                      The article contains several examples of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority. The author uses the phrase 'racist assault' in a sensational manner without providing any context or evidence for it. They also use quotes from law enforcement officials as if they are their own opinions rather than objective facts.
                      • The article contains several examples of inflammatory rhetoric and appeals to authority.
                    • Bias (85%)
                      The article contains multiple examples of racial bias. The officers used racist slurs against the two men during the raid and warned them to stay out of Rankin County and go back to Jackson or their side areas with higher concentrations of Black residents. Elward shoved a gun into Jenkins' mouth and fired, court documents say. Before the raid, the officers agreed to enter without a warrant if they could avoid being spotted by the home's security cameras. They also planned to use excessive force but not to cause visible injuries to the men's faces so there would be no bad mugshots. The deputies threw eggs on handcuffed victims and forced them to lie on their backs while pouring milk, alcohol, and chocolate syrup down their mouths. They forced the men to strip naked and shower to remove evidence.
                      • Before entering without a warrant, they planned not to cause visible injuries so there would be no bad mugshots
                        • Elward shoved a gun into Jenkins' mouth and fired
                          • The officers used racist slurs against the two men during the raid
                            • They repeatedly electrocuted the victims with stun guns
                              • They threw eggs on handcuffed victims and forced them to lie on their backs while pouring milk, alcohol, chocolate syrup down their mouths.
                              • Site Conflicts Of Interest (50%)
                                The article reports on the guilty pleas of four white ex-officers from the Mississippi police department for their involvement in a racist assault on two Black men during a raid. The officers were part of an elite unit known as 'Street Crimes Unit' which was disbanded after allegations of excessive force and racial profiling.
                                • The article reports that one of the defendants, Christian Dedmon, admitted to using his stun gun on a Black man during the raid. The other three officers also pleaded guilty to charges related to their involvement in the assault.
                                • Author Conflicts Of Interest (0%)
                                  None Found At Time Of Publication