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DeLaughter was an assistant district attorney for the Hinds County trial, which resulted in Beckwith’s conviction for the 1963 murder of civil rights leader Medgar Evers. He became a circuit judge in Hinds County in 2002.
In his plea deal signed in July, DeLaughter agreed to 18 months in prison if the government would drop other counts accusing him of a conspiracy to rule in favor of then-attorney Richard “Dickie” Scruggs in a lawsuit over asbestos case legal fees. He also resigned as a judge and attorney.
Coincidentally, that case, Wilson v. Scruggs, was settled Thursday relative to the claims against Scruggs, his son Zach and several companies bearing their name.
Peggy Morgan of Eight Mile, Ala., wrote the two-page, typed letter to Davidson to ask leniency for DeLaughter, whom she described as a hero.
She also told the judge that evil forces from DeLaughter’s past had “railroaded” him in this case, and that he is the most honorable man she has ever known.
It’s not unusual for family and friends to submit letters to the judge on behalf of a defendant who’s awaiting sentence.
DeLaughter pleaded guilty to one count of lying to the FBI when investigators asked him about inappropriate communications about the Wilson lawsuit with his former boss, ex-Hinds District Attorney Ed Peters.
Peters was working for Scruggs to get DeLaughter’s help as Wilson asked for a $15 million judgment.
DeLaughter, who insists he was not bribed, ruled in Scruggs’ favor and Wilson came away with little more than an earlier $1.3 million payment.
Scruggs pleaded guilty to the conspiracy months ago and is serving prison time on two judicial bribery schemes.
Contact Patsy R. Brumfield at (662) 678-1596 or patsy.brumfield@djournal.com.
By the way, I haven't seen this letter, but it couldn't possibly be more "rambling" than the shallow, deliberately misleading fluff that Mitchell, Lange & even Brumfield have been regurgitating every week for the past two years. And I can assure you of this, had he allowed us to provide them, there would have been hundreds of letters on his behalf! As is his character though, he wanted to shield his friends and supporters from Mitchell's intrusion into our lives.
Let me just say now to Judge Davidson, the ONLY way justice can be realized in this case is to reject the Feds recommendation for prison time. Since they were so willing to forego the "real" charges, it can only be because they had no basis for them in the first place!!! The fact they they passed on Peters in favor of Delaughter proves their intent was "politics", NOT "justice". Send them a strong message, Judge Davidson, and let them know you won't tolerate that behavior in your court. He's been persecuted enough (for simply being
human). He's been removed from office. Mission accomplished. Send him HOME.