A Yazoo County Circuit Court judge has granted a local convicted rapist a bond to be released from jail.
Judge Barry Ford granted convicted rapist Jimmy Allen a $75,000 bond to be released from jail after he was found guilty by a Yazoo County jury of six counts of statutory rape of a minor, which began when the female victim was only 11 years old, according to District Attorney Akillie Malone Oliver.
Allen was sentenced to about 30 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Correction last April.
“This bond will allow Allen to return to his home in the community while he awaits his appeal,” said Malone-Oliver, who said she was very disturbed about Ford’s decision.
Malone-Oliver said law enforcement testified that Allen was also placed on suicide watch after his initial conviction. Prosecutors said that Allen was a danger to himself, the victim and the community and asked the Court to not allow him out on bond.
“Despite the recommendation of law enforcement, the judge went against said recommendation and granted Allen a bond of $75,000 to be released from jail while he waits on his appeal,” Malone-Oliver said. “Today’s decision, granting Allen a bond after being convicted by a jury, was very disturbing, shocking and disappointing to the victim and her family.”
Judge Ford was appointed by the Supreme Court to assist Circuit Court Judge Jannie Lewis-Blackmon on a temporary basis. According to a court order from 2020, Ford’s appointment was requested by Lewis-Blackmon “to provide assistance in performing her duties due to the unforeseen needs proximately caused and/or contributed by COVID 19.”
Circuit Clerk Robert Coleman said both judges have assisted within the court, especially with the backlog of cases.
“There have been times when both judges have been here at the same time,” Coleman said. “It has been a matter of trying to clear up the docket. But Judge Lewis-Blackmon is still very much here, with Judge Ford assisting her.”
Lewis-Blackmon is also an elected official while Ford, of Madison, is an appointment.
Special judges have been appointed to assist judges in districts across the state, particularly to handle the backlog of cases that have resulted from delays caused by the pandemic.
The 2020 court order also states that “compensation and necessary expenses incurred by (Ford)…be paid through the Supreme Court’s AOC-Cares Act Covid 19 Fund.” The Mississippi Legislature appropriated $2.5 million of CARES Act money to assist the courts.
