An investigation into whether a Greenwood police officer used excessive force in a Dec. 6 incident at Greenwood High School has been forwarded to the office of Leflore County District Attorney Joyce Chiles for possible prosecution, Police Chief Henry Harris said.
"On Dec. 6, Officer Casey Wiggins was working security in the high school and became involved in a struggle with a student. We've concluded our investigation. It will be forwarded to the proper authorities," Harris said, reading from a prepared statement Wednesday morning.
When contacted initially on Tuesday, the chief said the incident was being treated as a personnel matter and that he could not discuss details.
Harris said Wednesday's statement was prepared after he consulted with Mayor Sheriel Perkins.
The family of the student, James Marshall, who turned 18 on Dec. 8, has been trying to publicize the incident since it happened more than a week ago.
Lula Marshall, 32, sister of the student, said Wiggins allegedly pushed her brother against a wall, threw him to the ground and put a gun to his head.
Although her brother was initially arrested by Wiggins, he was later released without being charged, Marshall said.
Marshall said she is not sure why her brother was allegedly mistreated by the officer.
"He wasn't doing anything. I don't know if Wiggins was having a bad day or what," she said.
Jacqueline Blackshire, the young man's mother, said she went to the police station on Dec. 7, where she and her son co-signed an affidavit of assault against Wiggins.
During the incident, she maintains Wiggins placed a gun against her son's head twice and pointed it at his chest once.
When Blackshire initially found out about the incident, she said she raised a ruckus by contacting Perkins' office, Ward 3 Councilman Ronnie Stevenson and Dr. Les Daniels, superintendent of the Greenwood Public School District.
Stevenson declined to comment on the case. "I'm going to let the investigation play out before I make a comment," he said.
Blackshire said she was told by a police investigator the incident was caught by the school's videotape security camera system, although she has not seen the tape.
She said a request to view the tape was denied.
Daniels did not return repeated calls from the Commonwealth to comment on the incident.
Harris said Wiggins has not been suspended from duty over the incident, but the officer is no longer working on the high school security detail. The chief said two police officers normally work security at the school.
Wiggins is the former owner of Casey's Computer Store.
Prior to the store's opening, he served as a Greenwood police officer.
Wiggins could not be reached for comment on Wednesday.
Harris said a city personnel hearing regarding the incident will be scheduled in the near future.
"There will be a hearing. I have not decided what action will be taken," he said.
Marshall said her brother has withdrawn from family members since the incident, has lost his appetite and suffers from repeated headaches, which required a doctor's prescription.
"He's been shook up," she said.
The family is considering filing a lawsuit regarding the case, she said.
Marshall said she's pleased that possible legal action against the officer might be in the works.
"It's fine with the family. We're kind of happy about that," she said.
