Ernest T. Jones. v. Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning

Circuit Court of Claiborne County, Mississippi
Cause No. 2009-29A

A jury in Claiborne County Circuit Court has returned a verdict in favor of Plaintiff Ernest T. Jones, former head football coach at Alcorn State University.  Jones was awarded $500,000.00 in damages for mental anxiety against the Mississippi Institutions of Higher Learning.

Circuit Court Judge Lamar Pickard entered Judgment on January 25, 2016.

Jones alleged that Alcorn State University breached his contract to serve as head football coach by firing all of his assistant coaches, by failing to timely provide the players with uniforms and shoes, and by making several false charges of misconduct against him.

The defense contends that the State is immune from damages under principles of sovereign immunity.
Judge Pickard ordered the parties to promptly arrange a hearing date, at which the defense is expected to ask that Judge Pickard set aside the Judgment.

Attorneys for Plaintiff were Wayne E. Ferrell, Jr., and Adrienne P. Parker of the Law Offices of Wayne E. Ferrell, Jr., PLLC, in Jackson, Mississippi; Michael E. Keyton of the Keyton Law Firm in Port Gibson, Mississippi; and Jim Waide of Waide & Associates, P.A., in Tupelo, Mississippi.  Attorneys for Defendants were Alan M. Purdie and Christopher H. Corkern of Purdie & Metz, PLLC, in Ridgeland, Mississippi.  Circuit Court Judge Lamar Pickard presided over the four-day jury trial.