Jury Rules in Favor of Bruce Employee

Gray

BRUCE, Miss. (WCBI) — A federal court jury rules the city of Bruce was racially motivated when it failed to name Roderick Gray its public works director in July 2010.

According to Gray’s attorney, Jim Waide of Tupelo, the jury awarded Gray $18,000 in back pay although he only sought $10,000. The verdict from the jury of seven whites and one black came late Tuesday after almost two days of testimony.

The city hired Joe Moss, a white, in July 2010, over Gray, who had extensive experience with the city.

Gray filed suit, claiming the decision was racially motivated. The original suit was dismissed but then reinstated by a federal appeals court. But Gray only was allowed to address the race issue.

Moss has since left the city and aldermen split the job into two positions. Gray holds one of those as water department director.