Police Chief Benny DuBose said preliminary autopsy results on the body of Sharon Scott show the 43-year-old hanged herself while in custody at the Meridian Police Department.
DuBose’s remarks came Wednesday during the mayor’s semimonthly press conference. DuBose added, however, that investigator Danny Knight of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations has not completed his review.
It is routine, in situations where the actions of a law enforcement agency are under scrutiny, to call in an outside investigator.
“The report indicated that it was a suicide; they referred to the cause of death as ligature hanging. Ligature means using another object to hang one’s self, whether it be a shoestring, a rope or whatever,” DuBose said.
Lauderdale County Coroner Clayton Cobler said official autopsy results should be available in about six months.
Scott apparently hanged herself with a bed sheet on April 11, after she was arrested for several alleged traffic violations, including speeding, disobeying a traffic device and driving under the influence with refusal to take a sobriety test.
A candlelight vigil in her honor was held on Sunday; her funeral was held Tuesday at Mt. Sinai Baptist Church.
In other business
Also during the press conference, Meridian Mayor John Robert Smith said the city will take control of Brown Printing, 617 23rd Ave., as soon as the necessary paperwork has been signed.
The building was condemned Tuesday after the Meridian City Council voted to exercise its right of eminent domain over the building and the land on which it rests.
Benji Brown, son of owners Joe and Choxie Brown, said the company plans to relocate to Front Street. He said the move from a three-story building to a one-story building will make life easier, and he is excited about the change.
The 23rd Avenue building, and the former bus station that adjoins it, will make way for expanded City Hall grounds. Smith said he hopes the work will be complete before 2009 — when City Hall’s lawn will extend to 23rd Avenue, across from the Dough Boy monument.
Smith also said the city has received a second payment of a little more than $1.8 million from the Federal Emergency Management Agency for post-Katrina cleanup costs.
The mayor said the first payment was about $700,000; all told, the city spent $3 million to $4 million on hurricane recovery.
Local News
Autopsy confirms jail death was suicide
- Local News
-
-
In memory of those who died
A 21-gun salute is a common part of any Memorial Day program.
But the release of 21 snow white doves representing the peace we enjoy today because of those who have fallen in battle was a rare treat of the Second Annual Memorial Day Program held Monday afternoon at Magnolia Cemetery in Meridian. -
Choctaw Expressions to be showcased
The Mississippi Craft Center will present Choctaw Expressions as the featured cultural and historical exhibit for the month of June.
The presentation will showcase the rich and unique heritage of the Mississippi Choctaw Indians with traditional cultural arts and artifacts. The exhibition is set to open to the public on Friday, June 1 at 10 a.m. The Mississippi Craft Center, located in Ridgeland, is open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. with free admission and will highlight this unique event through June 30. -
Earth’s Bounty Festival Saturday
Residents in the Meridian area will have the opportunity to purchase locally grown or made products throughout the summer and fall through the Earth’s Bounty festival.
The expanded version of the current farmer's market will take place on the first Saturday of every month from June-November at Singing Brakeman Park in Meridian near Union Station. -
WWI soldier’s family receives Purple Heart
About three weeks before the end of WW I, two young officers with the 320 Machine Gun Battalion crept through the battered moonscape of France on a mission to find new positions for their weapons.
-
Man dies of gunshot wound
Investigators with the Lauderdale County Sheriff's Department are investigating a shooting incident that occurred Saturday morning in which one person died.
- Marriages & Divorces: Sunday, May 27, 2012
-
Leading Edges uses technology to enhance advertising
If local advertising agency Leading Edges has its way, pretty soon you will be using your iPhone or iPad to bring its clients' ads to life.
-
Meridian soldier to receive posthumous Purple Heart
- Partnership in place for safety blitz
-
Keeping time with the Disabled American Veterans
When you are responsible for transporting area veterans to Jackson to meet their medical appointments, you better be on time.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Diplomatic Expulsions Follow Fresh Syria Report
15 Dead in Northern Italy's 5.8-magnitude Quake
Angry Birds Spreading Their Wings
Witness Describes Fla. Face-chewing Attack
Man Falls Off Crane, Dies After Police Standoff
Russia Condemns Ally Syria Over Massacre of 108
Dairy Farm Uses Chiropractor to Help Cows
Unexpected Smog in Pristine National Parks
Air Canada Plane Makes Emergency Landing
New Ticks Spread Across Southeast, Diseases Rise
Bring Your Own Tech Programs Charge Up Students
Pope's Butler Vows to Help Vatican Investigation
Mother of Allegedly Abused Girl Denies Claims
Raw Video: 19 Dead in Qatar Shopping Mall Fire
Service Dogs Help Wash. Soldiers Battling PTSD
Raw Video: Heckler Bursts in on Blair Testimony
Japan Farmers Plant, Seek Radiation-free Rice
