Opinion ID: 1826525
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: royce kemp

Text: The first case upon which the Commission bases its charges is that of Royce Kemp. Kemp was tried and convicted of the murder of his mother in 1976 and on October 12, 1976, was sentenced to life in prison by then Circuit Judge Neal Biggers. This Court affirmed Kemp's conviction on November 17, 1977. See Kemp v. State, 352 So.2d 446 (Miss. 1977). Kemp was later paroled and remained free until May 2, 1990. Kemp's parole was revoked after Mike LaRue, Kemp's parole officer, substantiated reports that Kemp had been using alcohol and was in possession of firearms in violation of Miss. Code Ann. § 97-37-5 (1972). Despite the revocation by the Parole Board, Judge Russell entered an order on May 18, 1990 which suspended the remainder of Kemp's sentence and released him from jail. This order was entered on the court's own motion. Three days later, on May 21, 1990, Judge Russell rescinded the May 18, 1990 order. However, on January 9, 1991, Judge Russell, again sua sponte, suspended Kemp's sentence. After the Attorney General's Office filed a Petition to Vacate Void Orders, Judge Russell, on June 7, 1991 ordered Kemp incarcerated. Judge Russell argued that he took action in the Kemp case because he believed Kemp's constitutional rights were violated. Judge Russell testified that he believed Mr. Kemp was charged with a crime which was impossible for Kemp to commit and that evidence of the crime had been acquired during an illegal search and seizure by parole officer Mike LaRue. Judge Russell testified that the Sheriff of the county and two deputy sheriffs explained to him that while Kemp was in jail on a parole revocation charge, Mike LaRue, the parole officer, entered Kemp's house without a search warrant. LaRue seized firearms located in the house and charged Kemp with a violation of Miss. Code Ann. § 97-37-5. Judge Russell testified that he believed Mr. Kemp could not be charged with this crime because at that time, in 1990, Mississippi did not have a law that made it against the law for a felon to possess a weapon. In addition, Judge Russell testified that Kemp was being charged with possession of a concealed weapon on his person ... at a time when the weapon was miles away from where Kemp was ... He was locked up in jail ... It wasn't anywhere near his person, much less concealed in whole or in part on his person. Thus, Judge Russell, entered the order suspending Kemp's sentence. Judge Russell later testified ... [I]f I see a constitutional right being violated, if it's in court or if it's out here on the street, or someone is being abused, I'm going to do what I can to correct it. Judge Russell testified that law enforcement, the MDOC area supervisor, and the District Attorney agreed to Kemp's release. Although the District Attorney would not sign the order, he did not oppose it. However, Judge Russell admits that no hearing was conducted nor did Kemp's attorney participate in the decision to release Kemp. Sanford Whitehurst, a deputy sheriff in Alcorn county and Kemp's uncle, gave deposition testimony regarding the Kemp matter. Whitehurst testified that Judge Russell stated that he would not take any action in the Kemp matter unless everyone is involved and at no time did Judge Russell state that he did not have the authority to suspend Kemp's sentence. Harold Monroe, another deputy sheriff and court bailiff, also gave testimony. Monroe testified that it was he who initially approached Judge Russell about Kemp. However, Monroe testified that Judge Russell stated he couldn't do it ... Parchman had to do it. Mike LaRue, Kemp's parole officer, testified that he received a report from Kemp's relatives that Kemp was drinking and had firearms. When he arrived at Kemp's father's home, Kemp appeared to be intoxicated, however, he gave LaRue verbal permission to search his house which was located about five to six miles away. When the key provided to LaRue did not work, LaRue entered the house by climbing through a window and found the firearms in a chest of drawers. Kemp's parole was later revoked.