Today is a "day we've long awaited," attorney for the victims says
From CNN's Aditi Sangal
Today "is a day we've long awaited," attorney Malik Shabazz said after six White former Mississippi officers were sentenced in state court for torturing and abusing his clients Eddie Parker and Michael Jenkins.
The court has "given out justice," Shabazz said.
In departing from the initial recommendations of "low" prison sentences for the squad, the judge "set a new standard here in Rankin County, that police brutality will not be tolerated in Rankin County," Shabazz said.
Jenkins also reacted to the sentencing, telling reporters that it's been "a long time coming."
CNN's Emma Tucker contributed reporting to this post.
10:41 a.m. ET, April 10, 2024
Sixth member of "Goon Squad" sentenced to 15 years by state court
Joshua Hartfield is seen during his sentencing hearing on Wednesday. CNN
The sixth of six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the January 2023 torture and abuse of two Black men was sentenced in state court on Wednesday to 15 years in prison. The hearing is now complete.
Joshua Hartfield was sentenced to 15 years to run concurrently with his federal sentence.
Remember: The six White officers — Rankin County Sheriff’s deputies Hunter Elward, Brett McAlpin, Christian Dedmon, Daniel Opdyke, Jeffrey Middleton, and former Richland Police Department officer Joshua Hartfield – received federal prison sentences last month ranging from 10 to 40 years.
10:36 a.m. ET, April 10, 2024
Fifth "Goon Squad" member sentenced to 20 years
Daniel Opdyke is seen during his sentencing hearing on Wednesday in Brandon, Mississippi. CNN
The fifth of six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the January 2023 torture and abuse of two Black men was sentenced in state court on Wednesday to 20 years in prison.
The hearing is ongoing.
On Wednesday, Daniel Opdyke was sentenced to 20 years to run concurrently with his federal sentence.
The six White officers – Rankin County Sheriff’s deputies Hunter Elward, Brett McAlpin, Christian Dedmon, Daniel Opdyke, Jeffrey Middleton, and former Richland Police Department officer Joshua Hartfield – received federal prison sentences last month ranging from 10 to 40 years.
10:35 a.m. ET, April 10, 2024
Fourth member of the "Goon Squad" sentenced to 45 years
Hunter Elward is seen during his sentencing hearing on Wednesday. CNN
The fourth of six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the January 2023 torture and abuse of two Black men was sentenced in state court on Wednesday to 45 years in prison. The hearing is ongoing.
On Wednesday, Hunter Elward was sentenced to 45 years to run concurrently with his federal sentence.
Remember: The six White officers — Rankin County Sheriff’s deputies Hunter Elward, Brett McAlpin, Christian Dedmon, Daniel Opdyke, Jeffrey Middleton, and former Richland Police Department officer Joshua Hartfield – received federal prison sentences last month ranging from 10 to 40 years.
10:29 a.m. ET, April 10, 2024
Third "Goon Squad" member sentenced to 25 years by state court
Christian Dedmon is seen during his sentencing hearing in Brandon, Mississippi, on Wednesday. CNN
The third of six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the January 2023 torture and abuse of two Black men was sentenced in state court on Wednesday to 25 years in prison. The hearing is ongoing.
On Wednesday, Christian Dedmon was sentenced to 25 years to run concurrently with his federal sentence.
Remember: The six White officers — Rankin County Sheriff’s deputies Hunter Elward, Brett McAlpin, Christian Dedmon, Daniel Opdyke, Jeffrey Middleton, and former Richland Police Department officer Joshua Hartfield — received federal prison sentences last month ranging from 10 to 40 years.
10:25 a.m. ET, April 10, 2024
Second "Goon Squad" member sentenced
Jeffrey Middleton is seen during his sentencing hearing on Wednesday. CNN
The second of six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the January 2023 torture and abuse of two Black men was sentenced in state court on Wednesday to 20 years in prison.
The hearing is ongoing.
The six White officers – Rankin County Sheriff’s deputies Hunter Elward, Brett McAlpin, Christian Dedmon, Daniel Opdyke, Jeffrey Middleton, and former Richland Police Department officer Joshua Hartfield – received federal prison sentences last month ranging from 10 to 40 years.
On Wednesday, Jeffrey Middleton was sentenced to 20 years to run concurrently with his federal sentence.
10:22 a.m. ET, April 10, 2024
First "Goon Squad" member sentenced
The first of six former Mississippi law enforcement officers who pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the January 2023 torture and abuse of two Black men was sentenced in state court on Wednesday to 20 years in prison. The hearing is ongoing.
The six White officers — Rankin County Sheriff’s deputies Hunter Elward, Brett McAlpin, Christian Dedmon, Daniel Opdyke, Jeffrey Middleton, and former Richland Police Department officer Joshua Hartfield – received federal prison sentences last month ranging from 10 to 40 years.
On Wednesday, Brett McAlpin was sentenced to 20 years to run concurrently with his federal sentence.
10:42 a.m. ET, April 10, 2024
Eddie Parker: I was assaulted by "the ones that were sworn to protect and serve"
From CNN's Emma Tucker in Brandon, Mississippi
Attorney Malik Shabazz read aloud a victim impact statement from Eddie Parker, who was present in the courtroom but did not approach the stand.
“I never knew the ones that were sworn to protect and serve would be the ones that needed protection from," the statement read. "The humiliation and embarrassment from the sexual assault is too great for me to talk about. Therefore, I am in therapy now and for the future.”
“My life was not perfect, but it was mine. I doubt I will ever be able to experience it again. I wish I didn't have to experience the memory of this torture session, but I can't do that either. I can’t erase my memories but I will struggle to live on. They should be given what they gave me and Michael Jenkins, which is no mercy. I pray for the maximum sentence," he added.
Family members of the defendants were present in the courtroom during the sentencing and some could be seen crying.
12:44 p.m. ET, April 10, 2024
Michael Jenkins: "Your honor, they killed me. I just didn't die."
From CNN's Aditi Sangal
Michael Corey Jenkins, right, and Eddie Terrell Parker, center, sit in a Rankin County courtroom on Wednesday in Brandon, Mississippi. Rogelio V. Solis/AP
Malik Shabazz, the attorney for victim Michael Jenkins, read out the victim's impact statement ahead of the sentencing of the six White former Mississippi officers' sentencing.
"Your honor, please take these crimes by the goon squad seriously," Jenkins said in the statement. "Your honor, it is true that me and Eddie, in this event were called racist names."
January 24, 2023, was the worst day of his life, he said.
"After Hunter Elward shot me, they left me to die, bleeding on the floor," he added. "Your honor, they killed me. I just didn't die."
He detailed his torture, and described what it has meant.
"They tried to take my manhood from me. They did some unimaginable things to me and the effects of which will last in my life forever. All the things I used to do in my life have been affected. I am a musician and a signer, and now because of the gunshot wound that shattered my jaw, I can no longer do what I love, and that's sing," he added.
Jenkins said he wakes up at night covered in sweat due to nightmares about what happened, and loud noises, police lights and sirens give him anxiety.
"I'm broken inside, and I don't think I will ever be the person I was," he continued.
