Reports Delay Grand Jury Review of Drowning Case

COLUMBUS, Miss. — It’ll be at least October before a Lowndes County grand jury can decide whether a dad should be charged with a crime in the drowning deaths of his sons.

Columbus Police Chief Selvain McQueen says investigators and District Attorney Forrest Allgood are waiting for final reports from the state medical examiner’s office before presenting the case against Billy Wayne Brown to the grand jury.

They had hoped to present the case earlier this month but will have to wait until the next session in October.

On May 18, Brown was driving a six-passenger Polaris ATV across the Magby Creek spillway into Luxapilila Creek when it overturned.

Bystanders rescued Brown and three children but 9-year-old Justin Brown and 6-year-old Jacob Brown were swept under by the rushing waters and drowned.

The results of a court-ordered blood alcohol test taken after the incident and other issues will be a factor in whether Brown could be indicted for manslaughter, culpible negligent homicide or some other charge.