Mississippi attorneys representing three friends of the late 18‑year‑old Nolan Wells have filed a pre‑suit demand letter against Rev. Al Sharpton. The 19‑page letter, sent Friday, asks Sharpton to apologize, retract and delete two statements made in July and August that the lawyers claim defame Morgan Seymour, Jax Pitalo and Warren Hudson.
Letter demands and alleged false statements
The demand letter states, “Warren, Jax, and Morgan hereby formally demand that you apologize for, retract, and delete every false and defamatory statement about them.” It alleges Sharpton implied the three “completely innocent young men” were involved in Wells’ disappearance, that they withheld or altered his phone, concealed his keys, or obstructed the investigation.
Sharpton responded, “I welcome the lawsuit and will have my attorneys be in touch with theirs to arrange for them to serve me so we can get in court.” He has repeatedly said his comments are meant to help Wells’ parents seek answers.
Background on the case
Wells died during a Fourth of July boating trip to Horn Island off the Mississippi coast. The cause of death remains undetermined; autopsies ordered by the state medical examiner and a private pathologist have yet to produce definitive results.
According to the attorneys, the three friends left the 30‑person party early, while Wells stayed behind. They later contacted Wells’ family and authorities and assisted in the search. The letter asserts they never possessed or accessed Wells’ phone, nor concealed his keys, which were eventually turned over to Wells’ stepfather.
Sharpton’s remarks
Sharpton’s comments, cited from a July 14 TMZ interview and an August 19 online vigil, referenced “three young white male friends” and questioned why the phone and keys were not immediately handed over. He said, “That’s too many unanswered questions for us not to say that something is amiss here,” and later urged that the friends’ knowledge be litigated.
Sharpton maintains he does not know the friends’ names and therefore did not defame them, but argues he has a duty to raise the questions raised by Wells’ parents.
Legal implications
The attorneys argue Sharpton’s statements constitute defamation per se under Mississippi law because they imply the friends committed felonies such as murder, hindering prosecution and evidence tampering. They demand a verbal and written apology, a public retraction, deletion of the statements, and publication of corrections for at least seven days. Failure to comply within ten days, they warn, will trigger litigation.
Sharpton has said he welcomes any lawsuit, viewing it as a catalyst for truth and an opportunity for the friends to answer questions under oath.
Community response
Benjamin Hudson, father of one of the friends, organized an online fundraiser to cover potential wrongful‑death claims and legal costs. He emphasized that the demand is not about silencing legitimate discussion but about protecting his sons from defamation, harassment and intimidation.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Office has remained largely quiet, referring questions to District Attorney Angel Myers McIlrath, who has pledged to forward the investigation’s findings to a grand jury.
Original reporting: El Paso News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
