Victims' attorney says he hoped for longer sentences for "Goon Squad" members

Attorney Malik Shabazz, center, speaks alongside Michael Jenkins and Eddie Parker following the sentencing of the former Mississippi law enforcement officers on Wednesday in Brandon, Mississippi. CNN

While attorney Malik Shabazz said today's sentencing is "significant," he still said he hoped the officers who pleaded guilty to charges stemming from the January 2023 torture and abuse of two Black men received more tim "Yes, we would have preferred that a couple of more years of extra time were added to the defendants' sentences," he said Wednesday at a news conference. "However, we respect the judgement of this court. We respect the wisdom of this court and Mississippi has spoken here."

The six officers each received additional prison sentences ranging from 15 to 45 years Wednesday in state court. All of their state sentences are to run concurrently with their federal sentences.

Shabazz also spoke about the impact the crimes had on his clients.

"When you conduct acts of sexual depravity that is designed to take advantage of the victims can take years or a lifetime to recover. I mean can you imagine being captured by these six criminals in this house and them torturing and abusing you?" he told CNN.