Two former Capitol Police officers go on trial on manslaughter charge

The trial began Wednesday for two former Capitol Police officers charged with manslaughter in the shooting death of a 25-year-old Jackson man, with attorneys arguing over whether the shooting was in self-defense.

Steven Frederick Jr. and Michael Lamar Rhinewalt, who are both white, were part of the crime suppression Flex Unit of the Capitol Police involved in the death of a Black man, Jaylen Lewis, on Sept. 25, 2022. 

The officers stopped Lewis’ vehicle after a traffic violation and fatally shot him a few seconds later, according to testimony. Frederick, who is the son-in-law of Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey, and Rhinewalt have pleaded not guilty to the criminal charge.

In his opening statement to the jury, Special Assistant Attorney General Luke Williamson said Lewis’ death was “not a justified killing. It was not self-defense. We will ask that you find the defendants guilty of manslaughter.”

Defense lawyer Merrida Coxwell Jr. told the jury — made up of nine Black jurors and three white jurors — that officers blocked Lewis in with their car and called on him to show his hands. “Suddenly and without warning, Jaylen Lewis slammed into the back of the police car behind and came right at the officers,” he said.

In response to the 707-horsepower engine Cherokee heading toward them, Coxwell said Rhinewalt shot Lewis in self-defense. The earlier indictment concluded that was “not a reasonable belief under the circumstances.”

At the time of the fatal shooting, Frederick and Rhinewalt were conducting a narcotics operation when they saw a white Jeep Grand Cherokee turn north on West Street in Jackson driven by Lewis, who had a female passenger.

After the officers saw the Cherokee run a red light at Stonewall Street, they turned on their police lights and pulled Lewis over and blocked him from going forward with his car.

Lewis wound up reversing his car and bumping into the police cruiser behind his vehicle. 

“Jaylen does not brandish a weapon, reach for a weapon, make any violent gestures, threaten anyone, or take any other actions that could be reasonably perceived as endangering officers or others,” according to a lawsuit filed by Lewis’ mother.

After this, Frederick and Rhinewalt opened fire into the Cherokee, shooting Lewis in the head and killing him, according to the lawsuit. 

In Lewis’ car, officers found Glock pistols, an assault weapon and bags of marijuana, Coxwell said. “We’re not trying to paint a negative picture, but it’s the truth.”

Lewis decided to run “probably because of the drugs and weapons,” Coxwell said. “That’s never a safe thing to do with officers standing in front of you.”

Lt. Kevin Swinney of Capitol Police testified he was present when the shooting took place. He said he didn’t see where Frederick and Rhinewalt were standing when they fired their guns.

Asked if the officers had done anything that fell outside police practice, Swinney replied no.

If there had been, Gilbert asked, “you would have reported it, right?”

Swinney responded yes. “I ain’t going to jail for nobody.”

Capt. Dennis Weaver of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation testified that the passenger in Lewis’ vehicle, Selena Hayes, told agents that she yelled out, “Stop, stop, stop” when Lewis tried to speed off.

Speaking of Frederick, Coxwell asked Weaver: “As best you could tell, he was telling the truth?”

Weaver replied yes.

Ty Parker, crime scene analyst for MBI, identified two bullet holes in the front windshield of Lewis’ car and another two bullet holes on the driver’s side window.

She testified there was no sign that any of the weapons inside Lewis’ car were fired. All three guns were loaded, she said.

In 2022, the state Legislature expanded the jurisdiction of Capitol Police beyond the state Capitol and other state office buildings in downtown Jackson. Within that year, officers shot at least four people.

A month before Lewis was killed, Rhinewalt and former Flex Unit officer Jeffery Walker opened fire on a car, striking a passenger in the head. That victim, Sherita Harris, survived but now has “permanent neurological and facial injuries,” according to her lawsuit.

A grand jury indicted Rhinewalt and Walker for aggravated assault in that case. According to the lawsuit, no weapon was recovered from the car.

In March 2023, Frederick totaled his Capitol Police Ford vehicle, and flunked the DUI field test with a 0.15 score, nearly twice the legal limit of 0.8. Five months later he dodged conviction when a state trooper failed to appear for the court hearing. The judge dismissed the DUI charge.

Frederick resigned three days after the wreck “to prevent termination,” according to his certification records. A year and a half after the incident he wrecked another patrol vehicle, this time as a deputy for Scott County.

U.S. District Judge Kristi H. Johnson has dismissed the Mississippi Department of Public Safety from the lawsuit filed by Lewis’ mother, Arkela Lewis. The lawsuit remains pending against the former officers, who have asked for it  to be dismissed.

In an interview outside the courthouse, Arkela Lewis said hearing all the justifications for killing her son angers her. Any time an officer kills someone, “It’s always self-defense,” she said. “It’s something I have already been prepared for.”

She said she is far from optimistic the officers will be convicted. “I’ve been praying and leaving it in God’s hands. That’s all I can do.”

Update, 9/23/2026: This story has been updated with additional details about the trial.