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FBI to investigate hit and run
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| By: Theron Fly |
August 02, 2012 |
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The Federal Bureau of Investigation is now investigating the deadly hit and run in Panola County, according to reports.
The incident occurred July 22 on Highway 310 in Como. A 17-year-old Senatobia native identified by District Attorney John Champion as Matthew Whitten Darby has been charged with first degree murder in the hit and run death of John Butts, 61, of Como.
The incident occurred after the vandalism of a nearby church. Darby had two passengers at the time, an 18-year-old and a 15-year-old. Darby has been charged, along with the 15-year-old, with the vandalism of the church. Darby has also been charged with malicious mischief.
Darby has been indicted for murder by a Panola County grand jury.
The Mississippi branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) has also called for an outside investigation of the matter to determine if the hit and run was racially motivated.
Mississippi NAACP President Derrick Johnson was out of town and unavailable for comment.
Champion said that his office has been pleased with the investigation.
"The Sheriff's department has put together a great investigation. All we have to do now is move forward," Champion said.
With the Panola County Sheriff's Department and the District Attorney already conducting investigations, the FBI investigation may consider whether or not there is appropriate evidence that the incident meets the standards of a hate crime.
If it is determined to have been a hate crime, the charges in the case may be more severe.
Darby is being held in Panola County on $300,000 bond while investigations are underway.
Panola County Sheriff Dennis Darby has previously told The Democrat that the incident is not being considered a hate crime. The sheriff also said that he and the suspect are not related.
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©The Democrat 2013
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Donna Pryor |
Aug, 07 2012 |
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Who is the eighteen year old? Why is his identity being kept under wraps??
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