Why the Nolan Wells Investigation Is Being Viewed Through Mississippi's History

In this episode of The Frank Perspective, Nehemiah D. Frank explains why many Black Americans remain skeptical of the investigation into the death of 18-year-old Nolan Wells.

That distrust is not based solely on speculation about one case. It is rooted in Mississippi’s documented history of failing to protect Black lives, thoroughly investigate their deaths and hold perpetrators accountable—from Emmett Till and the Freedom Summer murders to the more recent cases of Rasheem Carter and Dexter Wade.

While there is currently no public evidence of misconduct in the Wells investigation, Frank explores why Nolan’s family and many Black Americans are demanding transparency, independent review and careful scrutiny of every piece of evidence. Mississippi’s history does not determine what happened to Nolan Wells, but it helps explain why trust cannot be assumed—it must be earned.

This article is free. Independent Black journalism isn’t.

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