The arraignment hearing was held Thursday morning in Bay Springs for Jaquin Blackwell who has now been officially charged in the murder of Deputy James Blair.
The incident happened June 12, 2020 at the Region Eight Mental Health Center in Mendenhall.
Blackwell was being sent involuntarily by his family. A writ through the chancery clerk’s office had been filed to have Blackwell sent for mental evaluation according to Sheriff Paul Mullins.
An active shooter call was place to the sheriff’s department. Upon arrival at the scene, Deputy James Blair was down and was transported to Simpson General where he died. He was reported at the time as haven been shot several times.
Blackwell allegedly overpowered Blair and took his weapon and shot Deputy Blair.
A Simpson County Grand Jury was convened by District Attorney, Chris Hennis, and there was enough evidence to pursue charges against Blackwell. He was charged with killing the deputy while he was in the line of duty. Blair was transporting Blackwell to Region Eight for an evaluation.
Blackwell has been held in the Rankin County Jail for almost a year. Judge Stan Sorey read the charges against Blackwell. Blackwell was asked how he pleaded and he replied, “Not Guilty”. Because Blackwell’s attorney, T. K. Burns of Clinton, has requested a mental health evaluation no bail was set in the case.
Blackwell was sent back to the Rankin County Detention Center where he will await a mental evaluation from the state mental hospital.
The arraignment hearing is the first official step of a trial once a grand jury has made the determination there is enough information to indict.
The next action will be to schedule a trial date for Blackwell. The case will be prosecuted by District Attorney Chris Hennis.
