Police Say Tasia Fortune Was Killed Before Her Body Was Hanged
publishers 19articles 19first reported 25 Sep, 19:20 UTCdeveloping since 26 Sep · 4 editions
Jackson, Mississippi, investigators believe Tasia Fortune was already dead when her body was hanged from a tree behind an abandoned home, a police detective testified Friday.
Detective Samuel Dukes said the hanging was “staged,” citing the medical examiner’s opinion, and testified that Fortune’s killing appeared to stem from a drug dispute. Interviews indicated that Fortune fought before she was killed, he said. Authorities have classified her death as a homicide but have not disclosed the exact cause of death or explained why her body was hanged.
Fortune, a Black woman and mother of four, was found Aug. 3. The circumstances drew widespread attention because they recalled the history of lynching and racial violence in Mississippi.
Dukes testified during a hearing for Jarques Ratliff, 51, the first person arrested in the case. Ratliff has pleaded not guilty and remains jailed without bond. The hearing, which will determine whether the evidence is sufficient to send his case to a grand jury for possible indictment, is scheduled to resume Sept. 30.
Police also arrested Earnest Lloyd Jr., 25, during the week. CBS News reported that a third suspect, a 45-year-old man, surrendered Friday after authorities issued a warrant and was charged with murder.
Fortune’s mother, Christy Spivey, said outside court that she had known her daughter died before being hanged and was especially troubled to hear that Fortune had fought for her life.
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