Family hires civil rights attorney Ben Crump after student found hanging at Delta State

The family of Demartravion "Trey" Reed, 21, found hanging on Delta State University's campus, has retained civil rights attorney Ben Crump. An independent autopsy is being pursued as officials found no evidence of foul play.

Ben Crump to lead civil rights investigation into Delta State student death

The family of Demartravion "Trey" Reed, 21, has retained prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump to investigate his death, according to a statement released to clarionledger.com by Crump's press office on Tuesday, Sept. 16.

Reed's body was found around 7:05 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 15, hanging from a tree in the middle of Delta State University's campus in Cleveland, Mississippi — behind pickleball courts near the Court of Governors dormitories. University officials stated Reed had died by suicide.

Crump announced he would lead a civil rights investigation in coordination with several civil rights organizations. "Trey Reed was a young man full of promise and warmth, deeply loved and respected by all who knew him," his statement read. "His family and the campus community deserve a full, independent investigation to uncover the truth about what happened. We cannot accept vague conclusions when so many questions remain."

Independent autopsy initiated

Attorney Vanessa J. Jones, of Jones Law Firm in Hattiesburg, told a press conference on Tuesday that her firm is representing Reed's family and has launched its own investigation, beginning with an independent autopsy.

"We will seek answers independently from Delta State University and from the coroner's office and, if need be, independent from the state coroner's office because we need answers as to what happened to Trey Reed," Jones said. She also questioned whether campus surveillance footage could shed light on the events of the early morning of September 15.

Jones said that days before his death, Reed had spent time with his family in his hometown during Grenada Day on Sept. 3, a city-organized event. His family described him as "joyful" and "loving."

"We're not going to point fingers at anybody," Jones said. "We're not going to call anybody any names. All we want is answers."

Officials: no evidence of foul play

Delta State University President Dan Ennis and University Police Chief Michael L. Peeler both stated at a Monday press conference that there is no evidence of foul play in Reed's death.

Social media posts circulated claims that Reed had sustained injuries — including two broken legs — that would have been inconsistent with suicide. Those claims were disputed in a statement released Monday by Bolivar County Coroner Randolph Seals Jr.

Seals said his office conducted a preliminary examination and found that Reed "did not suffer any lacerations, contusions, compound fractures, broken bones, or injuries consistent with an assault." The statement added: "At this time, there is no evidence to suggest the individual was physically attacked before his death."

Reed's body was subsequently transferred to the Mississippi State Crime Lab for a full autopsy.

University resumes operations

In a video posted to the university's Facebook page on Tuesday, Ennis addressed the campus community of approximately 2,700 students as the university resumed normal operations.

"We know that none of us will ever fully heal this wound, but we have to go on and go on as best as we can," Ennis said. "We ask for your continued prayers, support and we ask for your patience."

Reed's death was one of two reported hangings in Mississippi on September 15.

Source: Google News GD — Crime