‘It didn’t matter’: Family of George Robinson reacts to reversal of Anthony Fox case

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - Former Jackson and Clinton Police Officer Anthony Fox sat behind bars for 544 days for the wrongful death of 62-year-old George Robinson.

That’s before Fox found out Tuesday that his days in prison were numbered.

“Once it’s looked at, I figured that was going to be the final decision of the Court of Appeals. And I’m pleased that it was,” Fox’s attorney, Francis Spring explained.

For Robinson’s sister, Bettersten Wade, the news of the reversal was anything but pleasing.

“We went through every step, we had all the evidence, and it didn’t matter. Once A.G. Lynn Fitch comes in, she wants her own decision,” Wade said.

A jury found Fox guilty of culpable negligence manslaughter in August 2022. He was later sentenced to five years in prison - giving Wade and her family peace at the time.

Now, she feels as though the judicial system has failed her and her brother.

“As the A.G. said, she stands behind her law enforcement. She said it loud and clear. I back my law enforcement and everybody else should be behind the law enforcement, whether they beat you, kill you, drag you, you should still stand behind your blue,” Wade explained.

In preparation for Fox’s release, the City of Clinton says they will reinstate Fox as a Detective for their narcotics division with Clinton Police “as soon as possible.”

“We still have a lot of sympathy for the family of George Robinson on his loss. And we don’t take anything from that. It’s horrible to lose someone like that. But we don’t believe it was our fault,” Spring said.

“I can’t stop Officer Fox from doing nothing. And not gonna try to stop him from doing anything. I’m moving forward because there’s still work to be done,” Wade said. “I mean, our A.G. needs to go. Because if you have no concern for the citizens, you only have concern for your fellow blue, your law enforcement, where do we stand in the state of Mississippi?”

According to Fox’s attorney, the Court of Appeals has to issue a mandate before Fox can be officially released from prison. That can take up until February 20 to happen.

However, we could see Fox walk free before then.

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