Original article no longer available
ClarionLedger.com
6 months for assault
Jimmie E. Gates
September 9, 2006
RAYMOND A Jackson firefighter will spend six months in the Hinds County Penal Farm for attacking his then-wife on New Year’s Eve 2008 in front of their two small children.
James McCaffrey punched his wife with his fist, breaking her nasal bone and causing other injuries.
On Thursday, almost three years after the attack, McCaffrey, 33, pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of simple assault while his now ex-wife, her new husband and her parents looked on in the small courtroom in the Hinds County Detention Center.
McCaffrey was charged with domestic violence the night of the attack, but the charge later was upgraded to felony aggravated assault because of the severity of his wife’s injuries.
The former Emily McCaffrey said she agreed to the plea deal because she wanted closure.
Emily’s mother, Becky Rainey, spoke for the family inside the courtroom.
Looking at McCaffrey, Rainey said: “I want you to know what you did. This is a day we have waited patiently for. I want you to know how proud we are of Emily that she has moved on with her life.”
Emily cried at times as she sat in the back of the courtroom holding her new husband’s hand.
Becky Rainey had pictures showing how battered her daughter looked after the attack.
McCaffrey spoke afterward, while facing Emily and her family.
“The things that transpired that night were because of things I were going through,” McCaffrey said. “I should have reached out for help. From the bottom of my heart, I’m sorry.”
According to authorities, McCaffrey had been drinking prior to the argument and admitted to having a drinking problem in the past.
Also, McCaffrey said he had been diagnosed with mental illness and was taking an antidepressant when he struck his then-wife.
On Thursday, McCaffrey told special Circuit Judge L. Breland Hilburn that he is taking an anti-depressant.
McCaffrey’s attorney, Thomas Mayfield, asked Hilburn if McCaffrey could report to the Penal Farm on Monday instead of beginning his sentence immediately. He said McCaffrey had been involved in a traffic accident this week and suffered a concussion.
But when asked by the judge for documentation, McCaffrey said he didn’t have any.
Assistant District Attorney Lora Hunter said if McCaffrey is receiving treatment from a doctor, he should supply something from a physician to verify it.
Hilburn agreed to allow McCaffrey to remain free until Monday contingent upon him providing paperwork from a doctor.
Whether McCaffrey will keep his job with the Jackson Fire Department after the guilty plea to the misdemeanor was not clear in a response city spokesman Chris Mims provided to The Clarion-Ledger.
“This is a personnel situation and the city cannot comment specifically,” Mims said when asked about McCaffrey’s status. “The JFD is aware of the pending criminal action, and now that there is a resolution, the JFD will take the appropriate personnel action. Any personnel action is subject to review by the city Civil Service Commission.”
McCaffrey initially was fired by the Fire Department after he was arrested, but the Civil Service Commission reinstated him.
Then-Commission Chairman the Rev. Horace Buckley Sr. said the decision was based on testimony from McCaffrey that he was suffering from depression, anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder at the time of the assault.
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Jackson firefighter fired from job
Clarion Ledger
by Nicklaus Lovelady
April 17, 2009
Charge of beating wife before grand jury
The Jackson firefighter accused of severely beating his wife has been fired, officials said. Fire Chief Vernon Hughes said James McCaffrey, 30, has received termination papers. McCaffrey would not comment Thursday. Hughes said he could not comment about the firing because it is a “personnel matter,” but said McCaffrey has the right to appeal the termination through the Civil Service Commission. McCaffrey had been on administrative leave since his arrest on Dec. 31 for felony aggravated assault before his termination late last month following a disciplinary hearing. Police said McCaffrey beat his wife in front of their 2- and 5-year-old children at the couple’s Byram home. His wife was hospitalized with serious injuries following the alleged attack. During his initial appearance in January, McCaffrey blamed the actions on anti-depressant medicine he was taking to help him stop smoking. He said he had adverse reactions to the medicine after he increased the dosage to a pill-and-a-half a day. He is out on bond. As part of the judge’s orders, McCaffrey can not have any contact with his wife.