Video: Friend of Slain Lowndes County Man Suing Sheriff’s Department

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COLUMBUS, Miss. (WCBI) – A close friend of a Lowndes County man who was murdered earlier this year is suing the county and the sheriff’s department. Paul Vega, also a resident of Lowndes County, has given the county notice that he plans to file suit in federal court early next year.

Vega says he was falsely arrested for the death of Manuel Vasquez. His attorney, Daniel Waide of Hattiesburg, tells WCBI that Vega says he went around the sheriff’s department to the FBI with concerns about his friend’s disappearance. That’s why Vega says he was arrested.

Vasquez’s remains were recovered near his home in New Hope in July, three weeks after he went missing, and just this week positively identified.

His wife and mother in law remain in jail, charged with his murder.