Grand Jury Declines to Indict in Nolan Wells Case

Jackson County District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath stated on Monday that there is “absolutely no evidence” indicating that the death of Mississippi teen Nolan Wells was racially motivated, following a grand jury’s decision not to indict anyone related to the case.

The grand jury delivered a “no true bill” regarding the death of the 18-year-old, which occurred in July on Horn Island. This information was shared by the prosecutor in a video statement, as reported by NBC News. A redacted version of the report was also posted on social media.

“There is absolutely no evidence to support the allegations that Nolan’s disappearance and death were racially motivated,” she mentioned, emphasizing the bonds he shared with his friends. “Nolan chose to remain on the island that day, and there isn’t any evidence to suggest otherwise.”

The district attorney also addressed Ben Crump, the civil rights lawyer representing the Wells family, mentioning that his team had previously informed her office that their own investigation found no indication that Wells had been the victim of a crime.

“I’m not implying that a grieving mother should manage rumors about her child’s death,” she clarified. “Rather, it seems the Crump team was aware but did not act on their knowledge.”

Crump had previously shared an image in July asking, “What if the roles were reversed?”

The panel, consisting of 23 members, voted unanimously, according to WLOX. They examined forensic phone data and GPS records, issued numerous subpoenas, and heard from 43 witnesses.

The state medical examiner and the family’s pathologist both listed the cause of death as undetermined. Their findings suggested that the conditions surrounding the discovery of Wells’ body were consistent with drowning, as reported by CBS News.

Both medical experts noted a bruise on the back of the teen’s head that was not the cause of death. A witness stated that Wells experienced a fall from a boat but appeared unharmed.

The grand jury also labeled the allegations made online against Wells’ friends as untrue.

“There was never any doubt. They are terrific people,” said Edward Andrew Paltzik, an attorney for the friends.

Crump expressed that the grand jury’s decision did not clarify the circumstances of the teen’s death.

“This grand jury result leaves us with more questions than answers. Nolan’s family will not rest until we know what happened to him, and neither will we,” he stated.

In August, Al Sharpton suggested that a Democrat-led House should summon the police, who claimed there was no foul play. He pointedly remarked on the situation: “A Black boy goes out with three white kids, and three white kids come back.”

The grand jury’s report highlighted that in Mississippi, homicide cases do not have a statute of limitations for prosecution, meaning the case could be revisited if credible new evidence is found.