Ratliff Pleads Not Guilty in Fortune’s Hanging | Miami News

A 51-year-old man, Jarques Ratliff, pleaded not guilty to murder in Mississippi after the body of 29-year-old Black woman Tasia Fortune was found hanging from a tree in Jackson. The medical examiner ruled it a homicide, leading to his arrest. A judge denied him bond, and while Ratliff insists he’s innocent, his lawyer offered little comment. The case has ignited national attention due to its chilling resemblance to Southern lynchings, with no public motive or racial context yet confirmed. Police hint at a deeper investigation, suggesting more arrests may be forthcoming, while prosecutors note Ratliff allegedly tried to flee during arrest — and that Fortune was hanged using a black cable cord. This is a fast-moving, deeply unsettling story with major implications for justice and race in America. Listen in comfort: Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN: [email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting. Sources: https://www.local10.com/news/2026/09/14/man-pleads-not-guilty-in-the-hanging-death-of-a-mississippi-woman/ More coverage & latest updates: https://sources.thednn.ai/b359b6cb52f0f391 Report issues to [email protected].