Sheriff Malcolm McMillin said Monday that county officials released the wrong person last Thursday when Willie McGregory got out of the Hinds County Detention Center, possibly due to an indictment snafu.
McGregory was waiting for his trial on a charge of aggravated assault with a gun. McMillin told the JFP that there was a problem with McGregory's first indictment, resulting in a suspension and re-issue of that indictment. Booking personnel may have only seen the suspension language of the indictment, however, not the re-issue, and released McGregory.
"Hundreds of faxes come in from every court system in the county to our booking center in Raymond and we're human, we make mistakes," McMillin said. "We're not making excuses. This was our error."
Hinds County Circuit Judge Bobby DeLaughter told reporters that the county issued a warrant for his re-arrest Monday.
McGregory was arrested last summer after allegedly firing multiple rounds at Jackson police and leading them on a chase that ended at a West Capitol Street business.
McGregory's attorney Sanford Knott said he was in contact with McGregory and that he was negotiating with authorities for McGregory to turn himself in.
"This was not his fault at all," Sanford said. "This should not affect his case in any shape or form. Right now we're just concerned for his safety because of the event that caused him to be there in the first place."
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