Attala_County
Member
- Joined
- Dec 11, 2005
- Messages
- 45
Southhaven, Mississippi
The root of the conflict involved an eminent domain seizure. In 1987 the Memphis and Shelby County Airport Authority instituted a noise abatement program because of complaints by local residents. A significant portion of the program was a buyout plan designed to purchase certain properties near the airport.
By 1994, the Cockrells were the last family in the neighborhood. Consequently the city of Southaven instituted eminent domain proceedings against his private property. The eminent domain jury set an amount of $66,000 as the value of the Cockrell’s home.Cockrell fought all these proceedings, representing himself. He also took other methods, including deeding the property to his son, in order to keep it out of the hands of the authorities.
By the end of 1996, most legal avenues had been exhausted. The county court issued a removal warrant for the family on January 17, 1997. However, Cockrell had an ace of sorts up his sleeve; he contacted Drew Rayner, who commands the Mississippi Militia.That day he issued an alert.“Billy has requested militia support regarding the illegal and unconstitutional seizure of his house and property,” the alert stated. The Mississippi Militia also mobilized a small observation group to the Cockrell’s residence.
Because of the presence of militia members on the property, the county sheriff decided not to serve the warrant. However, Southaven city attorneys informed the Cockrells that they had posted a notice for the demolition of the Cockrell home on the date of January 30. Once more the word went out over the Internet. “You are cordially invited to a campout…on the grounds of the Cockrell home,” read one alert, issued on January 28. “The purpose of this little get together will be to witness that the Cockrell’s home will not be unlawfully demolished.”
On January 30, militia members from seven different states were camped out at the Cockrell residence.The Mississippi Militia took the opportunity to distribute literature on militias and jury nullification. Reporters witnessed militia members carrying weapons.(ewww! scary!
) The media had all four television affiliates and several newspapers on the scene.
Conspicuously absent, despite the demolition ultimatum, were local authorities. Southaven and De Soto County officials claimed that there were no immediate plans for the house’s seizure or demolition. In the meantime, militia members continued to guard the Cockrells’ property. Supporters of the Cockrells continued to issue pleas for help over the Internet. In fact, however, Southaven Mayor Joe Cates announced in early February that the city would delay demolition plans until an appeal court had ruled on the removal warrant. The militia attributed the delay to the presence of the militias and the subsequent media attention. This in fact was a factor in the sudden cautiousness adopted by local authorities. Their caution was soon cemented by a stay issued by a county judge.
The Cockrells continued the battle , launching a blizzard of lawsuits against city and county authorities.The Cockrells held off seizure for more than two years as the various suits and appeals made their way through the court system.The community supported the Cockrells, especially after local officials announced plans for a golf course on the buyout program properties.
Eventually, however, the state supreme court denied a petition to rehear the case. Local officials were once more faced with seizing a home held by a family who dared to defend their constitutional rights. This time, however, law enforcement took the cowardly route. In early March 1999, when the Cockrells were visiting relatives in Memphis, authorities decided to move. In the early evening, the sheriff sent a SWAT team numbering over a dozen men to the Cockrell residence.
Members of the SWAT team knocked on the front door, then blew it open when there was no response. SWAT officers entered the house and searched the residence.Law enforcement officers found five pistols, two assault rifles, fifteen other rifles, several shotguns, and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Cockrell had been out with family, and only came back to his house after it was effectively out of his possession. Authorities removed his possessions, then bulldozed his house down!
The MS Militia spotted government cronies approaching the house and contacted the Cockrells. Billy Cockrell asked the militia to stand aside. In respecting the Cockrells constitutional right to dictate what happens on their property(we told the Cockrells it would not be smart to leave the house)and of respect for the safety of innocent neighbors,we stood aside.
Drew Rayner stated: “May God have mercy on the souls of each and every man and woman who participated in this massacre of liberty"
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The root of the conflict involved an eminent domain seizure. In 1987 the Memphis and Shelby County Airport Authority instituted a noise abatement program because of complaints by local residents. A significant portion of the program was a buyout plan designed to purchase certain properties near the airport.
By 1994, the Cockrells were the last family in the neighborhood. Consequently the city of Southaven instituted eminent domain proceedings against his private property. The eminent domain jury set an amount of $66,000 as the value of the Cockrell’s home.Cockrell fought all these proceedings, representing himself. He also took other methods, including deeding the property to his son, in order to keep it out of the hands of the authorities.
By the end of 1996, most legal avenues had been exhausted. The county court issued a removal warrant for the family on January 17, 1997. However, Cockrell had an ace of sorts up his sleeve; he contacted Drew Rayner, who commands the Mississippi Militia.That day he issued an alert.“Billy has requested militia support regarding the illegal and unconstitutional seizure of his house and property,” the alert stated. The Mississippi Militia also mobilized a small observation group to the Cockrell’s residence.
Because of the presence of militia members on the property, the county sheriff decided not to serve the warrant. However, Southaven city attorneys informed the Cockrells that they had posted a notice for the demolition of the Cockrell home on the date of January 30. Once more the word went out over the Internet. “You are cordially invited to a campout…on the grounds of the Cockrell home,” read one alert, issued on January 28. “The purpose of this little get together will be to witness that the Cockrell’s home will not be unlawfully demolished.”
On January 30, militia members from seven different states were camped out at the Cockrell residence.The Mississippi Militia took the opportunity to distribute literature on militias and jury nullification. Reporters witnessed militia members carrying weapons.(ewww! scary!
) The media had all four television affiliates and several newspapers on the scene.Conspicuously absent, despite the demolition ultimatum, were local authorities. Southaven and De Soto County officials claimed that there were no immediate plans for the house’s seizure or demolition. In the meantime, militia members continued to guard the Cockrells’ property. Supporters of the Cockrells continued to issue pleas for help over the Internet. In fact, however, Southaven Mayor Joe Cates announced in early February that the city would delay demolition plans until an appeal court had ruled on the removal warrant. The militia attributed the delay to the presence of the militias and the subsequent media attention. This in fact was a factor in the sudden cautiousness adopted by local authorities. Their caution was soon cemented by a stay issued by a county judge.
The Cockrells continued the battle , launching a blizzard of lawsuits against city and county authorities.The Cockrells held off seizure for more than two years as the various suits and appeals made their way through the court system.The community supported the Cockrells, especially after local officials announced plans for a golf course on the buyout program properties.
Eventually, however, the state supreme court denied a petition to rehear the case. Local officials were once more faced
with seizing a home held by a family who dared to defend their constitutional rights. This time, however, law enforcement took the cowardly route. In early March 1999, when the Cockrells were visiting relatives in Memphis, authorities decided to move. In the early evening, the sheriff sent a SWAT team numbering over a dozen men to the Cockrell residence. Members of the SWAT team knocked on the front door, then blew it open when there was no response. SWAT officers entered the house and searched the residence.Law enforcement officers found five pistols, two assault rifles, fifteen other rifles, several shotguns, and thousands of rounds of ammunition. Cockrell had been out with family, and only came back to his house after it was effectively out of his possession. Authorities removed his possessions, then bulldozed his house down!
The MS Militia spotted government cronies approaching the house and contacted the Cockrells. Billy Cockrell asked the militia to stand aside. In respecting the Cockrells constitutional right to dictate what happens on their property(we told the Cockrells it would not be smart to leave the house)and of respect for the safety of innocent neighbors,we stood aside.
Drew Rayner stated: “May God have mercy on the souls of each and every man and woman who participated in this massacre of liberty"
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