Family of coach killed in fight seek justice
Bond denied for Hinds Co. deputy charged in man's death
Bond was denied Tuesday for a Hinds County deputy charged with murder.
Hinds County District Attorney Robert Smith said Joshua Adams, 37, was never brought into court, but was denied bond by a judge.
Justin Griffin, 25, died Monday afternoon after he allegedly got into a fight Sunday with Adams, who had been a referee for a game at the Mississippi Basketball and Athletics gym, a coroner confirmed. Adams was off-duty at the time, authorities said.
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After the game, Adams went outside, had words with Griffin and then punched him, witnesses said. Griffin died of a blow to the head, the Hinds County coroner said.
Jackson police arrested Adams and charged him with murder. Adams is on unpaid administrative leave from the sheriff's department, authorities said.
"The case is still open and we're still looking at information," said Jackson Police Department Assistant Chief Lee Vance. "We know there was a second deputy that was involved, but right now, we're not ready to (file) charges against that individual, but we have the person that we think is the most responsible at this point."
Griffin's family said they want everyone accountable for his death to be charged.
"Our boy was not a thug. We raised our kid and he was a good kid. Those thugs that were supposed to protect him, they killed him," said Justin Griffin's father, James Griffin. "If you can't go to a basketball game and come home safe, where can you go?"
Griffin was a youth basketball coach. Julias Pickett was a close friend and fellow coach. Pickett said he saw the whole fight.
"The man comes out behind him. He's saying something to him, I don't know what he's saying. He goes to grab Justin by the arm. Justin goes, 'Why are you grabbing me?' Then the other guy goes to grab him by the neck. He never said a word. This is the deputy with his uniform on," Pickett said. "When he pulls away, here comes the referee guy. He comes at him. What are you supposed to do when another man comes at you? You back up in defense. That's what he did. When he hit him, I pulled out my phone and began the video. Then I saw my friend hit the ground."
Vance said the investigation is continuing. He did not release the name of the second deputy.