JACKSON, MS (WDAM) – A former law enforcement officer, sentenced to prison for hiring a hit man to kill his soon to be ex-wife and her daughter, tried to take his own life.
Averal “Junior” Burnett, 48 was being taking, after his Friday sentencing, to the Central Mississippi Correctional Facility. Once getting there, the Pearl River County officers with him said they got out at the gate to check their weapons. Upon returning to their car, they found Burnett slumped over with blood splattered on the seat. The officers said he told them he cut his own throat. Burnett was rushed to a Jackson hospital, with a wound that’s being described as appearing to be non-life threatening.
An investigation is underway to find out what object was used and how Burnett got his hands on it.
Burnett was sentenced to 60 years in prison for two counts of attempted murder. While in jail on multiple sexual battery charges in Lamar County, prosecutors said Burnett hired a soon to be released fellow inmate to kill his wife and daughter. The inmate tipped off police and neither women were hurt. Burnett was found guilty in December.
He is still scheduled to stand trial on the sexual battery charges March 17.
Burnett worked in law enforcement for more than 20 years.
