A grand jury in Mississippi determined that there was insufficient evidence to bring charges in the death of Nolan Wells, an 18-year-old Black college student whose body was discovered after a July 4 boating trip on Horn Island. District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath announced the findings on Monday, following months of speculation regarding Wells' disappearance from a party and the circumstances surrounding his death. Wells' family expressed dissatisfaction with the grand jury's conclusion, which suggested accidental drowning despite autopsy findings indicating trauma to his body.
Christine Wonsley, Wells' mother, questioned how the jury could reach a drowning conclusion given the trauma and inconsistencies presented. The investigation involved 132 subpoenas and testimonies from 43 witnesses, including cellphone data and forensic reports. Lawyers representing Wells' family, including civil rights attorney Ben Crump, criticized the district attorney for not addressing the cause of the blunt force trauma found on Wells' body.
A witness testified that he saw Wells fall from a boat but continued socializing afterward. The grand jury could not determine if the fall caused the bruising. Wonsley stated that she was informed of the findings shortly before they were publicly announced, expressing that it lacked empathy. Crump and others have called for an independent investigation by the U.S. Department of Justice.
During Wells' funeral, Rev. Al Sharpton highlighted the state's history of racial violence, emphasizing the need for transparency in the investigation. Following the announcement, McIlrath expressed frustration over false narratives surrounding the case, stating that there was no evidence to support claims of racial motivation in Wells' death. Attorneys for Wells' friends, who faced online rumors, welcomed the grand jury's findings, stating it allowed them to mourn properly. The report noted that while alcohol was found in Wells' body, the reliability of the testing was questionable due to the nature of the fluid examined.
The grand jury concluded their report by expressing sympathy for Wells' family, recognizing his outstanding character.