Man Pleads Not Guilty in Hanging Death of Mississippi Woman

A man faces murder charges after a Black woman was found hanging in Jackson, Miss., sparking concerns over racial tensions and historical violence.

Editorial Desk

September 15, 2026 One Min Read

POLICY WIRE — Jackson, United States — A man accused of murdering a Black woman in Mississippi has pleaded not guilty during his first court appearance.

The body of Tasia Fortune, 29, was discovered hanging from a tree behind an abandoned home in Jackson on August 3. Police arrested Jarques Ratliff, 51, on murder charges following the state medical examiner’s determination that her death was a homicide. Ratliff, who is also Black, told the court he is not guilty.

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The case has drawn attention due to its resemblance to historical lynchings in the Southern state, which has a troubled civil rights history marked by racial violence. Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive or whether race played a role in the incident. Additional arrests are expected as the investigation continues.

Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)

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