THANKS FOR JOINING US TONIGHT AT SIX. I’M TROY JOHNSON. MEGAN IS OFF TONIGHT. BRETT MCALPIN IS APPEALING HIS SENTENCE OF MORE THAN 27 YEARS IN FEDERAL PRISON. THE 53 YEAR OLD MCALPIN WAS THE HIGHEST RANKING DEPUTY ON THE SCENE. THE NIGHT THAT HE AND FIVE OTHER FORMER LAWMEN BRUTALLY ABUSED EDDY PARKER AND MICHAEL JENKINS IN JANUARY OF 2023, MCALPIN’S 327 MONTHS IN PRISON WAS THE SECOND HARSHEST SENTENCE OF ALL SIX OFFICERS, HIS LAWYER ARGUED IN COURT THAT MCALPIN SHOULD HAVE BEEN GIVEN LESS TIME TO SERVE THAN HUNTER ELWARD, WHO SHOT JENKINS IN THE MOUTH AND WAS SENTENCED TO JUST 20 YEARS IN PRISON. HOWEVER, A PART OF THE AUGUST PLEA DEAL STATES THAT MCALPIN WAIVES THE RIGHT TO APPEAL OR CONTEST HIS SENTENCE. IF A JUDGE WERE TO DETERMINE THIS APPEAL, A BREACH OF HIS PLEA DEAL, IT COULD FREE THE U.S. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE TO PROSECUTE MCALPIN ON CHARGES DROPPED BECAUSE OF THE AGREEMENT OR A
‘Goon Squad’ member appeals federal sentence
Updated: 3:54 PM CDT Apr 17, 2024
One of six former Rankin County lawmen known as “The Goon Squad,” is appealing his federal sentence of more than 27 years in prison.Brett McAlpin, 53, pleaded guilty to federal and state charges related to the January 2023 attack on two Black men at a house in Braxton. The victims, Eddie Parker and Michael Jenkins, were tortured, humiliated, and beaten, and Jenkins was shot in the mouth.Read the appeal here.”On its face, I understand there’s a discussion and questions about, ‘Well, you waved the right to an appeal.’ I think that’s an issue that’s going to be litigated at the appellate level,” said McAlpin’s attorney, Aafram Sellers.According to Sellers, McAlpin didn’t use racial slurs and didn’t attack either of the victims.Sellers said McAlpin lived near the victims’ home in Braxton and called other members of “The Goon Squad” after a neighbor reported the victims’ home as a nuisance.”It’s unusual and risky. The plea agreement includes a broad waiver of the defendant’s appeal rights. There are certain grounds for appeal that are not waivable, including ineffective assistance of counsel and that the waiver was not voluntary. So, we will have to wait and see if the defendant argues one of these rather narrow grounds, but it doesn’t sound like it,” said Mississippi College School of Law professor Matt Steffey. Steffey went on to say that depending on the grounds for appeal, the prosecution can argue McAlpin breached his plea agreement.”The prosecution, in theory anyway, could declare the agreement void, renew the prosecution of the defendant, and use admissions made in prior proceedings to convict the defendant. The sentence imposed in this scenario can well be higher or harsher,” Steffey said. McAlpin was the highest-ranking member of “The Goon Squad,” which was comprised of five former Rankin County sheriff’s deputies and a former Richland police officer. During his sentencing in federal court, McAlpin became emotional while testifying.”It’s not how people should treat each other,” McAlpin said. “Your honor, I’m sorry for being a part of something that makes law enforcement look so bad.”U.S. District Judge Thomas Lee sentenced McAlpin to 327 months. McAlpin was sentenced in Rankin County to a total of 20 years. The sentences will run concurrently.
One of six former Rankin County lawmen known as “The Goon Squad,” is appealing his federal sentence of more than 27 years in prison.
Brett McAlpin, 53, pleaded guilty to federal and state charges related to the January 2023 attack on two Black men at a house in Braxton. The victims, Eddie Parker and Michael Jenkins, were tortured, humiliated, and beaten, and Jenkins was shot in the mouth.
“On its face, I understand there’s a discussion and questions about, ‘Well, you waved the right to an appeal.’ I think that’s an issue that’s going to be litigated at the appellate level,” said McAlpin’s attorney, Aafram Sellers.
According to Sellers, McAlpin didn’t use racial slurs and didn’t attack either of the victims.
Sellers said McAlpin lived near the victims’ home in Braxton and called other members of “The Goon Squad” after a neighbor reported the victims’ home as a nuisance.
“It’s unusual and risky. The plea agreement includes a broad waiver of the defendant’s appeal rights. There are certain grounds for appeal that are not waivable, including ineffective assistance of counsel and that the waiver was not voluntary. So, we will have to wait and see if the defendant argues one of these rather narrow grounds, but it doesn’t sound like it,” said Mississippi College School of Law professor Matt Steffey.
Steffey went on to say that depending on the grounds for appeal, the prosecution can argue McAlpin breached his plea agreement.
“The prosecution, in theory anyway, could declare the agreement void, renew the prosecution of the defendant, and use admissions made in prior proceedings to convict the defendant. The sentence imposed in this scenario can well be higher or harsher,” Steffey said.
McAlpin was the highest-ranking member of “The Goon Squad,” which was comprised of five former Rankin County sheriff’s deputies and a former Richland police officer. During his sentencing in federal court, McAlpin became emotional while testifying.
“It’s not how people should treat each other,” McAlpin said. “Your honor, I’m sorry for being a part of something that makes law enforcement look so bad.”
U.S. District Judge Thomas Lee sentenced McAlpin to 327 months. McAlpin was sentenced in Rankin County to a total of 20 years. The sentences will run concurrently.
