Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Criminal Justice topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
DeSoto County board authorizes contract talks for partnership with state crime lab
Summary
The Board voted May 4 to have the county attorney draft an agreement to pursue a partnership with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the District Attorney’s office to use a Batesville crime lab and equipment to shorten forensic processing times, addressing backlog dating to October 2022.
The DeSoto County Board of Supervisors on May 4 authorized the Board attorney to draft a contract exploring a partnership with the Mississippi Department of Public Safety and the District Attorney’s office to access a Batesville crime lab and associated equipment aimed at reducing long forensic processing delays.
District Attorney Matthew Barton presented data showing evidence processing backlogs dating to October 2022 and outlined the operational burden those delays place on the county jail and prosecutorial workflow. Allen McDaniel, chief of staff for the Department of Public Safety, described a grant‑funded model his office has used to speed turnaround times and said an agreement could provide DeSoto County personnel access to DPS equipment and the Batesville facility.
Board Attorney Adam Emerson clarified staffing options, including hiring a private 1099‑contracted associate to work in the lab. Barton told the Board the district attorney’s priority cases would be addressed but that, given the county’s support, Sheriff’s Office cases would be given priority under the partnership. Sheriff Thomas Tuggle attended and participated in the discussion.
Supervisor Robert Foster moved and Supervisor Mark Gardner seconded a motion authorizing the Board Attorney to work with the District Attorney and DPS chief of staff to draft the contract for the Board’s review. The motion passed unanimously.
Next steps: the Board Attorney will prepare a draft agreement for future Board consideration and signature; no implementation timeline or budget appropriation was approved at this meeting.
