Mississippi deputy charged with murder after beating man to death over basketball game

A Mississippi deputy was charged with murder after beating a man to death earlier this week while refereeing a basketball game.

Hinds County Sheriff’s Deputy Joshua Adams was off-duty Sunday when he got into a fight with Justin Griffin during a game at the Mississippi Basketball and Athletics gym.

Police said Griffin, a youth basketball coach, was upset over the way Adams had called the game.

Afterwards, witnesses said, Adams went outside, began arguing with Griffin, and punched him.

Surveillance video shows Griffin take a fighting stance outside the gym and throw at least three punches to Adams’ face, reported The Jackson Clarion-Ledger.

Adams tries to block the punches and hold off Griffin with his left hand, but he manages to throw one punch to the chin with his right that knocks the other man to the ground.

The 25-year-old Griffin died Monday from a blow to the head, the Hinds County coroner said.

Jackson police arrested the 37-year-old Adams and charged him with murder.

He remains held without bond, and the deputy was placed on administrative leave from the sheriff’s department.

A second deputy, who was in uniform at the scene of the fight but did not take part, was also placed on administrative leave during the investigation.

Watch this video report posted online by WAPT-TV: