Willie Manning’s long road to achieving justice has been blocked again: the Mississippi Supreme Court, in a close and shocking 5-4 decision*, has barred Willie from taking newly discovered evidence to the circuit court.

The dissenting judges are strong in their criticism of the majority:
“Today the Court perverts its function as an appellate court and makes factual determinations that belong squarely within the purview of the circuit court judge.”

The dissent focuses on the recantation of Earl Jordan. It notes the central importance of Jordan’s trial testimony in previous judgments, as having removed the case “from the circumstantial realm”. The dissenting judges express astonishment that the court “now declares its stance on this not to be valid”.

They continue:
“Jordan’s affidavit raises questions of fact that entitle Manning to an evidentiary hearing, especially in light of the heightened standard that applies in death penalty cases.”

The Mississippi Office of Capital Post-Conviction Counsel issued a press release in response to the court’s shameful decision. It concludes:
“What measure of justice is served if the wrong man is put to death?
In 2024, will Mississippi allow a man to be executed when it has been proven that corruption, coercion, and false forensics lie at the core of his conviction and death sentence?”

Surely the answer must be “No.”

*Willie Jerome Manning A/K/A Fly v. State of Mississippi 2023-DR-01076-SCT, En Banc Order. Supreme Court of Mississippi. September 16, 2024