No arrest warrant for Murrah High coach - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

No arrest warrant for Murrah High coach

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By Marsha Thompson - bio | email

By Marsha Thompson - bio | email

JACKSON, MS (WLBT) - The video of a coach beating his students in a basketball gym sent shock waves throughout this community last year. On Tuesday a Hinds County Circuit Court Judge decided a criminal warrant will not be issued against Coach Marlon Dorsey.

Judge Breland Hilburn ruled there was not enough evidence in the case to find criminal intent. Three students testified that Dorsey beat them with a 10-pound weight belt. The coach described it as a disciplinary action. Dorsey was suspended but later apologized and was reinstated.

"The evidence presented to the court does not establish there was a criminal intent by the coach, and probable cause is not established for the issuance of an arrest warrant," the judge said during the proceedings.

But the students' attorney, Lisa Ross said, "Everyone that he brought in today testified that they witnessed Coach Dorsey beat the boys. So it was clear that these unlawful beatings were taking place, and even if the Judge finds they are not criminal, they are still unlawful." 

Ross has filed a federal civil lawsuit on the students' behalf.

Corporal punishment has been outlawed at Murrah since the early 1990s.

Copyright 2011 WLBT. All rights reserved.

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