Administrative Office of Courts
Public Defender Task Force The Public Defender Task Force was created by Mississippi Code Section 25-32-71 in 2000. The Task Force is charged by statute to: Mississippi Supreme Court Presiding Justice James W. Kitchens is chairman of the Task Force, and Demetrice Williams of the Public Defenders Association is vice-chair.
Other members of the Task Force are: André de Gruy of the Office of State Defender; Circuit Judge Prentiss Harrell; Kevin Lackey, director, Administrative Office of Courts; District Attorney Hal Kittrell, Mississippi Prosecutors Association; Special Assistant Attorney General Jerrolyn Owens; Tanisha Gates, Magnolia Bar; Jennie Eichelberger, Mississippi Bar; Steve Gray, Mississippi Association of Supervisors; Rep. Mark Baker; Rep. John Read; Sen. Hob Bryan; and Sen. Eugene “Buck” Clarke.