Lamar County DA Tells Black Victim's Family "Not Our Job" To Represent Your Family After DA Drop All Charges Against White Murder Suspect Andrew David Cook Despite Confession

Hattiesburg Mississippi- More information is coming out of Hattiesburg, as the state of Mississippi continues to grow more and more unsettled after Lamar County drops all charges against a 25 year old white suspect name Andrew David Cook, despite overwhelming evidence including both he and his mother confession, in the killing of a 26 year old black man name Donivan Barnes.

Andrew David Cook temporary booked in the Lamar County Sheriff's Jail on Wednesday, October 18, 2023.

In a phone call between Donivan's family and the DA's office on Thursday evening, March 6, 2025, Donivan's Barnes family immediately demanded answers with a family member telling the prosecutor, "I thought that the district's attorney's job was to represent the {victim's} family and I don't understand how they representing the family if we're not in communication!" in which the prosecutor interrupted saying "No sir, our job is to present the evidence that we have!" in which the family member responded back in shock, "It's not to represent the family?" in which the prosecutor said, "No!"

Oak Grove Elementary School Teacher Dr. Kimberly Yawn Walker Confesses to Her Part In the Killing of 26 Year Old Black Man Donivan Barnes.

This comes as Hattiesburg News learns Donivan's family was angry that there was no communication between the victim's family and the Lamar County District Attorney about Donvian's case before the case was closed or before the grand jury, which is why this back and forth on the phone call took place. Typically, the DA's office stays in contact with the victim or victim's family about updates on the case, ask for their input, and provide other resources as they try to bring justice for the family and the community. Lamar County prosecutor's told the victim's family that's not their job.

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The victim's family cannot hire outside counsel to represent themselves before the grand jury or in any criminal preceding because they are typically represented by the District Attorney. However in this case, Donivan Barnes family had no voice in how this case was presented, the charges presented, or any opportunities to be heard from the DA's office because Lamar County DA Office refused to meet with the victim's family.

Hattiesburg News will continue to investigate this story.