Man pleads not guilty in the hanging death of Tasia Fortune in Mississippi
A man charged with murder in the hanging of a Black woman in Mississippi pleaded not guilty Monday at his first court appearance.
Jarques Ratliff, a 51-year-old Black man, pleaded not guilty on Monday in Municipal Court during his first court appearance in connection with the hanging death of 29-year-old Black woman, Tasia Fortune. The body of Fortune was discovered hanging from a tree behind an abandoned home in Jackson, Mississippi, on August 3. Police arrested Ratliff on Friday, after the state medical examiner ruled her death as a homicide.
The judge denied bond for Ratliff at the hearing, who informed the court that he is not guilty. Police Chief RaShall Brackney stated that Ratliff had an "association" with Fortune, but provided no further details. She also mentioned that additional arrests are anticipated in the case. The motive for the killing and whether race played a role remain unknown as police and prosecutors have not disclosed any information on the matter.
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- Man pleads not guilty in the hanging death of a Mississippi woman winnipegfreepress.com
