Family, Ben Crump react to no criminal charges in Nolan Wells case
SOUTH MISSISSIPPI (WXXV) — Following the release of the Jackson County grand jury’s no true bill decision and news that no charges will be filed in the death of Nolan Wells, his family and legal team are responding.
This latest development is only further pushing the Wells-Wonsley family, civil rights Attorney Ben Crump, and their entire legal team to continue searching for answers surrounding Wells’ death, despite the grand jury’s finding that there was insufficient evidence to bring charges in the case.
“Jackson County Dstrict Attorney Angel Meyers McIlrath will have you accept that Nolan Wells’ death can be summarized in three words – ‘We’ll never know.’ But Nolan’s family offers three other words – ‘We will never stop.’ We’ll never stop. We’ll never stop. We’ll never stop,’” said Crump.
Attorney Crump and his team released the complete independent autopsy report, while the full medical examiner’s report is still pending. Both reports classify Wells’ death as “undetermined” and note that drowning is a diagnosis of exclusion.
Additionally, what was previously described in the preliminary independent autopsy report as discoloration on the back of Wells’ head is now identified as “apparent acute blunt force injuries.” The grand jury report states the bruising was not fatal, but its cause remains undetermined.
“The independent autopsy conducted for the family by forensic pathologist Dr. Roger A. Mitchell Jr. found that Nolan sustained recent, unexplained blunt force injuries to the back of his head and additional areas on his back. He concluded blunt force trauma. Because of those injuries and their contribution to Nolan Wells’ death, remains unexplained. But, they both acknowledge blunt force trauma,” Crump said.
Attorney Crump says this is just the beginning as their team will continue pushing for answers in the case.
“We want our children to be able to live out the fulfillment of their destiny that God has for them, and if they are taken for us in a highly questionable, inexplicable way, we gonna fight till hell freezes over, and until we find out the truth of what happened to Nolan Xavier Wells,” said Crump. “And don’t attack these parents. Don’t attack us supporting these parents for doing the same exact thing that you would do if it was your child.”
As for the response from the Wells-Wonsley family, Christine and Elmore claim they were not given a thorough investigation into their son’s death.
“So, my question is how can a jury come to the conclusion of drowning despite knowing that there was trauma to his body, and despite hearing many inconsistencies? Elmore and I do not believe that Nolan simply and accidently drowned. Nobody saw anything, and no one knows anything?” asked Christine. “Last night was a reminder that our son’s life does not matter to those who hold positions that are supposed to serve and protect the public.”
“Continue to say his name. Continue to ask that question, because that’s all we ask. What happened to our child? That report she gave doesn’t tell us that,” said Elmore. “So, please, continue to ask that question. Continue to speak his name, because he’s not a hashtag. He’s our son.”
The Wells-Wonsley family will join Attorney Ben Crump and his legal team in another press conference on Thursday, where they plan to discuss digital findings from Nolan Wells’ cell phone. The time and location of this conference have not yet been released, but lead independent investigator Eric Hertz says these findings are “surprising.”
WXXV will provide updates as information becomes available.
