(Oxford, MS) Three freshmen Ole Miss students from Georgia are said to be the main suspects of an incident at Ole Miss where a noose and old Georgia flag were put around a statue of James Meredith.
That’s according to university chief of police, Calvin Sellers.
Meredith was the first black student to attend the university in 1962.
The monument was dedicated in 2006.
According to the university, “Sellers said the University Police Department (UPD) had gathered enough evidence by late Wednesday to bring charges through the student judicial process against two of the students, and both state and federal authorities were working in close coordination to determine whether criminal charges were applicable.”
We’re told the students did not appear at a scheduled meeting Thursday and now have an attorney.
Criminal charges could be brought against the students even though there was no damage to the statue.
Chancellor Dan Jones said, “These individuals chose our university’s most visible symbol of unity and educational accessibility to express their disagreement with our values. Their ideas have no place here, and our response will be an even greater commitment to promoting the values that are engraved on the statue – Courage, Knowledge, Opportunity, and Perseverance.”
The student judicial process would call on the students to respond but can proceed without their cooperation.
Sellers said the $25,000 reward offered by the university’s alumni association has been instrumental in bringing quick results in the investigation, generating numerous leads.
Those with additional knowledge that may be helpful to the investigation and prosecution are encouraged to contact UPD at 662-915-7234.
