Ridgeland, Mississippi – Former NFL player Jerrell Powe will not face trial after a Mississippi grand jury decided not to indict him on a kidnapping charge. Powe, who was arrested in 2023, received notification from the Madison County district attorney’s office stating that the grand jury declined to issue an indictment. Details of the grand jury proceedings were not disclosed.
The arrest took place in the Jackson suburb of Ridgeland when Powe and another individual were apprehended at a bank. The arrest came after a man claimed he had been abducted against his will in Laurel, which is approximately 75 miles southeast of Jackson.
Powe played as a defensive tackle for the University of Mississippi from 2008 to 2010, where he accumulated 69 tackles, seven sacks, and an interception in 37 games. His performance earned him Second-Team All-Southeastern Conference honors in 2009 and 2010.
During the 2011 NFL draft, Powe was selected in the sixth round by the Kansas City Chiefs. He went on to play in 12 games over three seasons for the Chiefs, recording eight tackles and one sack. In 2014, Powe played in 16 games for the Houston Texans, contributing with 10 tackles.
It is worth noting that Powe’s attorney, Tom Fortner, confirmed that the grand jury’s decision not to indict does not necessarily imply innocence. The grand jury, comprised of citizens who meet in private, examines evidence presented by the prosecution to determine whether there is sufficient cause to proceed with a trial.
No further details or statements regarding the case have been released by either Powe or his attorney.
The AP has reached out to the involved parties for comment but has not received a response at this time.
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