HATTIESBURG -- Former Harrison County jailer Ryan Teel stood erect and stoic before a federal jury Thursday evening, then shed a few tears as a deputy court clerk finished reading the verdicts - guilty beyond a reasonable doubt on three counts, including the two that involved the fatal beating of inmate Jessie Lee Williams Jr.
Co-defendant Rick Gaston, charged with three counts in the 18-month investigation of a conspiracy to abuse inmates, shook prosecutors' hands and exited the courtroom with a smile after learning he was found not guilty on all charges.
The conclusion of the nine-day trial also brought relief to Williams' family, who left the courthouse elated and grateful for the justice they've sought since the booking-room beating that claimed the 40-year-old's life. Williams' death from the Feb. 4, 2006, assault by Teel in the jail booking room is the event that prompted scrutiny of the county jail in Gulfport.
"God is good!" said Terry Williams, Jessie Williams' brother, surrounded by smiling family members afterward outside the federal building. Terry Williams said the family's faith has helped them in the wait for justice.
U.S. District Judge Louis Guirola Jr. ordered Teel remanded to custody of the U.S. Marshals Service and set sentencing for Nov. 1 at 9 a.m.
Jurors deliberated nearly seven hours before finding Teel, 30, guilty on three counts. He was found not guilty on the count alleging he deprived the rights of inmate Michelle "Chelle" Abrams in a separate incident at the jail Aug. 9, 2005.
Count 1, the conspiracy count, accused him of depriving civil and constitutional rights under color of law in acts to intimidate, threaten, oppress and injure others. Count 2 accused him of depriving Williams' rights in an act resulting in death, the federal equivalent of a murder charge. Count 3 accused him of destruction, alteration or falsification of records in a federal investigation.
Teel faces up to life in prison for the conspiracy and for Williams' fatal assault. He faces up to 10 years for trying to cover up the unprovoked beating that began with a kick while Williams obeyed an order and continued with punches and kicks while he was restrained, pepper-sprayed and stunned with a Taser.
Jurors heard testimony that jail policies prohibit those levels of force on a restrained detainee. They viewed the videotaped beating of Williams, recorded by booking-room surveillance cameras. Teel had worked for the Sheriff's Department for seven years.
Teel also faces fines of no more than $250,000 for each of the three counts.
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