Miss. School Security Tape Released in Wrongful Arrest Case

Published: January 14, 2007

GREENWOOD, Miss. – A Leflore County Chancery Court judge has released to a plaintiff attorney security video footage capturing an altercation between a Greenwood High School student and a campus police officer.

Senior James Marshall, 18, is accusing Casey Wiggins, a Greenwood police officer assigned to work security at the school, of violating his civil rights. The officer allegedly slammed Marshall into a wall, knocked him to the ground and placed a gun against his head twice. The incident reportedly took place in the school’s main hall on Dec. 6.

Security cameras taped Marshall and Wiggins struggling at two locations. It also showed the officer pointing his gun at the student. According to the Greenwood Commonwealth newspaper, the officer also applied a chokehold to Marshall after pushing him up against a wall.

Carlos Moore, an attorney for Marshall, says the video from the surveillance cameras demonstrates that Wiggins used excessive force.

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A report filed by Wiggins says during the incident he approached Marshall and two other classmates who were looking at something in Marshall’s hands. The officer claims Marshall then became aggressive, pushing Wiggins.

Charges against the student for simple assault have been dropped.

A probable cause hearing is scheduled for Jan. 26 and will determine if Wiggins should be charged with a crime. Since the incident, Wiggins has been reassigned.

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