Jury acquits JPD officers

November 30, 2001
Section: Main
Page: 1A

Jimmie E. Gates

Patrolmen faced conspiracy, sexual battery charges

By Jimmie E. Gates
Clarion-Ledger Staff Writer

Two Jackson police officers sobbed after being acquitted Thursday of sexually battering a 19-year-old woman more than two years ago.

The Hinds County Circuit Court jury of seven women and five men deliberated about 2- hours before returning its verdict in the trial of Patrolmen Thomas Catchings and Maceo Simmons.

The officers each had faced up to 85 years in prison on two counts of sexual battery and a single count of conspiracy to commit sexual battery.

"Praise be God," Simmons said, wiping away tears after the jury returned with its decision.

Family members and supporters also became emotional after the verdict.

The now 21-year-old woman who brought the charges appeared stunned after Circuit Judge W. Swan Yerger announced the verdict.

She had alleged that, after a traffic stop early Sept. 19, 1999, Simmons took her in his patrol car to a remote spot off Forest Avenue and sexually assaulted her while Catchings acted as a lookout.

The woman said she waited a year before filing a report because she was scared. The officers were arrested Dec. 8, 2000.

Attorney Cynthia Speetjens, who prosecuted the case for the Hinds County District Attorney's office, said in her closing arguments that Catchings and Simmons had spit on the badge they wore to protect and serve.

"They picked the right victim, didn't they?" Speetjens said to the jury. "A girl with little power, little education someone perceived as having no rights. ? You don't ask to have sex with her."

But defense attorney Pat A. Catchings, a cousin of Thomas Catchings, said the woman wasn't an "innocent little girl."

Pat Catchings described her as a streetwise, 19-year-old at the time who knew more about sex than most people in the courtroom.

The Clarion-Ledger doesn't identify those who allege sexual assault.

Simmons, huddled with family members in the courtroom about an hour before the jury returned its verdict, said "justice will prevail."

Simmons, 45, on the force for three years, said he plans to return to his job.

"The citizens of Jackson need me," Simmons said. "I want to protect citizens. I wouldn't do anything to hurt any citizen."

Simmons and Catchings, 36, a five-year veteran, were placed on administrative leave without pay until disposition of the case.

Acting Jackson Police Chief Jim French and his senior staff would have to decide whether the officers are allowed back on the force, spokesman Robert Graham said.

Simmons' attorney, Kevin Camp of Jackson, said the jury reached the correct verdict.

Camp hammered at the woman's credibility, saying she had consistently made false statements to authorities.

Thomas Catchings said he didn't want to comment.

"I'm so happy," said his father, Wardell Catchings. "My son shouldn't have been here anyway."

Eddie Tucker, Catchings' primary lawyer during the four-day trial, said the jury reached the only conclusion it could have.

"There was nothing to show that Catchings knew anything other than that it was consensual sex," Tucker said in closing arguments. "That may have been wrong, but it should have been dealt with in Internal Affairs, not as a crime."