The government is seeking to take custody of a Mississippi woman’s three children following an incident where her son was shot in the chest by a police officer last year. Ironically, the shooting was carried out by the government, not the mother, Nakala Murry, or anyone in her presence.
In May 2023, Aderrien Murry, then 11 years old, called 911 at his mother’s request after her ex-boyfriend, John Nolden, showed up at their residence and allegedly began harassing her. However, the situation escalated when police officer Greg Capers arrived at the scene in Indianola, Mississippi.
Upon Capers’ instruction to come out, Aderrien emerged into the living room and was subsequently shot by the officer, resulting in a collapsed lung, fractured rib, and lacerated liver. Despite being suspended without pay in June, Capers remains employed by the Indianola Police Department, as a grand jury chose not to indict him in December.
According to prosecuting attorney Gwendolyn Jimison, an unnamed witness alleges that Nolden had previously assaulted Nakala Murry on multiple occasions, implying that the 911 call that night was a result of ongoing domestic violence between the mother and her boyfriend.
The government’s attempt to hold Murry accountable for an incident caused by one of its agents’ mistakes raises questions about justice. Murry’s attorney, Carlos Moore, expressed disbelief at the idea of her potentially losing custody of her children due to circumstances beyond her control.
Following the incident, Murry filed a federal lawsuit against Capers, the police chief, the city of Indianola, and other involved officers. However, she faces challenges such as qualified immunity and the Monell doctrine, which could hinder her pursuit of justice.
This case serves as a reminder of the obstacles victims of government errors and misconduct face in seeking justice. Murry’s upcoming court appearance on April 17 highlights the unequal burden placed on individuals to justify why they should not suffer consequences for governmental failures.
