JACKSON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
Jackson police have made a second arrest in a weekend hit-and-run that left a man dead. Wednesday morning police announced the arrest of John Rice, 18.
On Sunday, police arrested Deryl Paul Dedmon, 18, of Brandon in the death of James Craig Anderson, 49. Police say Dedmon ran over Anderson, who was walking on the shoulder of the road near the Metro Inn on Ellis Avenue. Police say Rice was a passenger in the vehicle.
Dedmon was charged with murder and has already bonded out of jail. Eyewitnesses told police they saw the two talking near the hotel prior to Anderson's death.
Dedmon's bond was set at $50,000. Tuesday morning, Attorney Winston Thompson III held a press conference. He is representing the Anderson family, who he says is outraged the bond was set so low.
"You never want to second guess the judge, my experience has been with municipal court, generally in a case like that the municipal court judge will set a high bond and once the case gets to the DA's office, you got a Circuit Judge who may hear the case then you can go file a bond reduction," says Thompson.
Thompson also said the murder may be classified as a hate crime. He went on to say, "Talking with the family members and information they received from the Jackson Police Department, there were some witnesses that say they heard one of the defendants shouting racial slurs."
Thompson says he plans to file a wrongful death lawsuit against both Rice and Dedmon.
Jackson police are also in possession of a surveillance video of the incident, but they are not releasing it to the media at this time.
James Craig Anderson's funeral will be held Saturday, July 2, at 11:00 a.m. at First Hyde Park M.B. Church.
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John Aaron Rice Source: JPD
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