The Starkville Board of Aldermen on Tuesday voted to discipline one officer from the Starkville Police Department and tender a case to be considered for criminal prosecution against another.
The Aldermen discussed the two measures in closed executive session, then voted 3-2 to tender a case against former SPD officer William Thrasher to District Attorney Scott Colom’s office, where it will be considered for criminal prosecution.
Additionally, the board elected to move ahead with disciplinary action against current SPD officer Drew Jones, as recommended by SPD Chief Frank Nichols.
The events leading to the two decisions have not been made public by the city as of press deadline on Wednesday and it is unclear whether the two actions by the board were related to the same incident.
Ward 4 Alderman Jason Walker and Ward 5 Alderman Scott Maynard were both absent from Tuesday’s meeting.
SPD Public Information Officer Brandon Lovelady told the SDN on Wednesday the department is unable to comment on pending personnel matters.
Ward 2 Alderman Lisa Wynn, Vice Mayor and Ward 6 Alderman Roy A’. Perkins and Ward 7 Alderman Henry Vaughn Sr. supported sending the potential Thrasher case to the District Attorney’s office.
The board unanimously approved the motion to discipline Jones. Details regarding the disciplinary action have not been made public at this time.
Starkville City Attorney Chris Latimer responded to a public records request by the SDN for the dash camera videos related to the two actions by the Board of Aldermen and said the videos are part of internal investigations related to both officers and have been submitted to the District Attorney’s office.
Latimer said the requested videos are exempt from disclosure at this time.