Three individuals have been charged with making threats during the investigation into the death of Nolan Xavier Wells
Three people have been charged with making threats against officials and witnesses connected to the investigation into the death of Nolan Xavier Wells, an 18-year-old found dead after a boat trip to Horn Island. The defendants, who have no apparent connection to the case, include Edward James Porter, who allegedly threatened to kill witnesses and their families; Michelle Francine Edwards, who allegedly issued multiple bomb threats to the George County chancery clerk’s office and the Jackson County sheriff’s office; and Joseph Alfredo Vasquez Dumarce, who allegedly sent a threatening Facebook message to Judge Ashlee Cole, whose son was on the boat with Wells. Nolan Xavier Wells was one of the few Black people on a boat with a group of white friends. His death has sparked debate over racial factors and prompted calls for transparency. While the state autopsy is complete, the results are pending release. An independent autopsy commissioned by the family, paid for by Colin Kaepernick, found the cause of death to be undetermined, pending further investigation.
Sources
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Three people charged with threatening judge, witness and officials tied to Nolan Wells investigation
CNN
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Third person charged with threatening witnesses in Nolan Wells investigation
NBC News
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Nolan Wells death: at least two people charged over alleged threats to officials
The Guardian
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Illinois man charged with making threats against witness connected to Nolan Wells investigation
WXXV News 25