WEST POINT — A Clay County grand jury has indicted two men for their alleged roles in an August assault that attracted national media intention for its racial undertones.
Marquavious McMillian, 21, of Aberdeen, and Courtez McMillian, 23, of Okolona, both have been charged with single counts of aggravated assault for allegedly beating Ralph Weems IV in a Huddle House parking lot on Aug. 23, according to Assistant District Attorney Lindsay Clemons. The exact family tie between the two is unconfirmed, but they are believed to be related, authorities said.
The alleged assault took place at the Huddle House on Highway 45 South in West Point. In the aftermath of the Michael Brown shooting in August, the assault drew national attention after a witness said Weems was attacked due to his race. The indicted suspects are black. Weems is white.
The grand jury declined to indict the suspects on hate crime charges.
Further indictments in the case are possible, but have not yet been served, according to the DA’s office.
Weems was severely injured in the incident. He suffered a traumatic brain injury. According to a GoFundMe.com page set up to aid Weems in his medical bills, he is recovering at an Arkansas medical center that specializes in traumatic brain injury. A post on the site made in March reported Weems is making a good recovery, but is still making physical and mental comebacks. The page has raised $12,684 in seven months with donations from 179 people, the most recent of whom donated three days ago.
The Clay County grand jury was in session for four days last week. They reviewed 135 cases, spoke to 136 witnesses and turned back 103 true bills, according to Clay County Clerk Robert Harrell Jr.
A trial date for the Weems case has yet to be determined.
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