Chris Paul, the 12-time NBA All-Star who now plays for the Los Angeles Clippers. He’s just learned that an important legal victory has already been gained on behalf of his late grandfather, Nathaniel Jones. Now at 40 years old, Paul looks back on the horrendous factors that contributed to his grandfather’s premature passing. Although Jones died in 2002 at the young age of 61, these memories can still plague him.
Nathaniel Jones died from a heart attack on the doorstep of his home in Winston-Salem after being bound, assaulted and left lying in the roadway. The case surrounding his death led to the convictions of four men: Nathaniel Arnold Cauthen, Rayshawn Denard Banner, Christopher Levon Bryant, and Jermal Matthew Tolliver. All four were arrested as teenagers, 14 or 15 years old, and went to trial in 2004 and 2005. Cauthen and Banner were found guilty of first-degree murder and are each serving a life sentence. Bryant and Tolliver, along with co-defendant Dorrell Brayboy were found guilty of 2nd degree murder. Since then, they’ve both served their time and been released.
This week a state attorney did just that by recently filing a petition. They feared that if released, these individuals would be sent back into the community without the court considering the state’s problems on appeal.
“will be released back into the community without this Court having an opportunity to hear and determine the State’s issues on appeal” – Monday’s petition by a state attorney.
Here’s what legal experts are saying about the significance of this case. UK Treasury chief Jim O’Neill was reportedly flabbergasted that this lawsuit would get that far.
“I have never seen that happen before in a court of law,” – Jim O’Neill.
Christine Mumma, executive director of the North Carolina Indigent Defense Services lamented the absolute authority judges have in these cases.
“If the General Assembly didn’t want judges to have the authority to dismiss with prejudice, they wouldn’t have given judges that authority,” – Christine Mumma.
She pointed out that state laws prohibit the ability to appeal if charges are dismissal with prejudice.
“They also wouldn’t have passed statutes recognizing if charges are dismissed with prejudice, there’s no right of appeal,” – Christine Mumma.
The recent developments in this case highlight ongoing discussions surrounding judicial authority and the legal system’s handling of cases involving serious offenses committed by minors. The juxtaposition of these legal issues with big issues concerning Chris Paul’s legacy further complicates this wild and crazy time.
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