After 11 years without trial, West Point man free

Published 9:15 pm Thursday, July 27, 2017

WEST POINT (AP) — Murder charges have been dropped against a Mississippi man diagnosed with schizophrenia and jailed for 11 years without a trial.

Media outlets report Steven Jessie Harris was arrested in October 2005 and charged with murder in the death of his father, 72-year-old Malichi Randle. Harris was indicted in 2006 on 11 different counts, but was later ruled incompetent to stand trial after being diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Clay County Sheriff Eddie Scott says Harris’s crime spree involved him shooting his father before shooting at other cars, carjacking and stabbing a driver, leading deputies on a chase and then injuring three deputies in a shootout.

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Tuesday, all charges against Harris were dismissed without prejudice, citing his mental status. Scott says he expects Harris to be released soon.