Mississippi Goddam Chapter 4: The Investigator
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\n\nSpecial Agent Joel Wallace of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation was called in to investigate the death of Billey Joe Johnson. He worked alongside two investigators from the George County district attorney\u2019s office.
\n\nWallace said that arrangement didn\u2019t happen very often. And he now questions why they were assigned. \u201cIf you've got me investigating the case, then I\u2019m an independent investigator,\u201d he said. \u201cBut why would I need the district attorney investigator to oversee me investigating a case?\u201d
\n\nThe Johnsons were initially relieved, because Wallace had experience investigating suspicious deaths. As a Black detective, he had dealt with racist backlash to his work.
\n\nReveal host Al Letson and reporter Jonathan Jones visit Wallace, now retired, to talk about what happened with the investigation. When Wallace finds out what Reveal has uncovered, he begins to wonder whether the case should be reopened.