00:00As District Attorney for the 19th Circuit Court District of Mississippi, I want to talk directly
00:05to the people of Jackson County. Our community is grieving the tremendous loss of Nolan Wells,
00:11who is loved and treasured by everyone. Nolan's family deserves answers, and our community
00:17deserves answers. Every death in the county, except those of natural causes and non-criminal
00:23car wrecks, are presented to your grand jury. Many people don't know that. We have handled
00:27death investigations in this manner my entire career. Nolan's case is being handled the same
00:33way, with the same care, and the same commitment to the truth that we handle all death investigations.
00:40I understand the public's urgency to know what happened to Nolan, but we are not taking time
00:45for time's sake. We are taking the time required to complete the work this investigation demands.
00:52Since Nolan was reported missing, local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies have worked
00:58around the clock investigating what happened to him. Every piece of evidence must be examined.
01:05Every credible lead must be followed to its conclusion. Every witness interview must be
01:10analyzed in context of all other evidence. The pressure for answers does not change what the
01:17work requires. Our responsibility to Nolan and our community is to complete this investigation thoroughly,
01:24carefully, without compromise, supported by the evidence, and worthy of the confidence of the
01:30people we serve. I also understand that many people have questions about why more information has not
01:36been released publicly. In Mississippi, the rules of professional conduct restrict the information a
01:42prosecutor can release during an investigation. Our restraint in communicating facts and evidence
01:48is not an effort to keep the truth from the public. It is an effort to protect the integrity of
01:54this
01:54investigation and the grand jury proceeding. As your district attorney, I have an ethical obligation
01:59to avoid public statements that could influence witnesses, prejudice of proceeding, or compromise the
02:05fairness of the legal process.
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