Jimmie E. Gates

The Clarion-Ledger

Attorney Mark Mayfield was found dead of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound Friday at his Ridgeland home.

Mayfield, vice chairman of the Mississippi Tea Party, was one of three men charged with conspiring with Clayton Kelly to photograph U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran's bedridden wife in her nursing home to use in a political video against Cochran in the Republican Senate primary against state Sen. Chris McDaniel.

Ridgeland police said they received a 911 call at 9:03 a.m. from a woman who said her husband had just shot himself.

Officers responded to the home on Cherry Laurel Lane in the Bridgewater subdivision at 9:07 a.m. and were directed by Mayfield's wife to a storage room in the garage.

Officers found Mayfield lying on the floor with a single gunshot wound to his head, according to a Ridgeland Police Department statement. Police found a "large caliber revolver" near the body. "The death is classified as a death investigation-pending, due to an awaiting autopsy to be performed at an undetermined time."

Ridgeland Police Lt. John Neal said an initial investigation at the scene did not reveal any indication of foul play. The only other person at the residence at the time of the gunshot was Mayfield's wife.

"Today my husband, Mark Mayfield, took his own life. Mark was my husband for 31 years and a wonderful dad to our two sons, William and Owen," Robin Mayfield said Friday afternoon.

"Mark had absolutely no history of any mental illness or depression. He was actively involved in his community and church and was liked and loved by all who knew him. He had no harsh words for anyone, even the people who used him for political gain. The pain we are feeling is indescribable. We appreciate the prayers and support from everyone."

McDaniel said Friday that regardless of recent allegations made against his character, Mayfield was a fine Christian man who was always respectful and kind.

"He was one of the most polite and humble men I've ever met in politics. He was a loving husband, father, a pillar of his community, and he will be missed. We are saddened by his loss, and we send our thoughts and prayers to his wife, his family and friends," McDaniel said.

Janis Lane, president of the board of the Central Mississippi Tea Party, said her heart is broken. "He was the finest man, and all the allegations against him — I can tell you — were false. He was a man of integrity, and all these allegations destroyed him, just destroyed him," an emotional Lane said, noting the family's need for prayers. "Mark Mayfield put his life on the line for this state and for this country. He is the highest caliber patriot you could ever find."

Mayfield's attorney, Merrida "Buddy" Coxwell, wouldn't comment on whether the charge against Mayfield may have played a role in him taking his own life.

"Anything I say wouldn't come out right," said Coxwell, who expressed outrage at the initial high bond set for his client last month.

Coxwell said his phone began to blow up with calls that he hadn't answered Friday and then he received a text message informing him of Mayfield's death.

"I'm totally shocked," Coxwell said. "You couldn't find a nicer man."

Coxwell said he and Mayfield were mountain bike enthusiasts and had known each other for much of their legal careers.

Mayfield of Ridgeland, an attorney and state and local tea party leader, was arrested by the Madison police Department last month along with Richard Sager, a Laurel elementary school P.E. teacher and high school soccer coach. Police said they also charged John Beachman Mary of Hattiesburg, but he was not taken into custody because of "extensive medical conditions." All face felony conspiracy charges. Sager also was charged with felony tampering with evidence, and Mary faces two conspiracy counts.

The cases against the four were expected to be presented to a grand jury in early July. The case against the other three is moving forward as scheuled, Madison District Attorney Michael Guest said.

Madison Assistant Police Chief Robert Sanders said of Mayfield's death, "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. We're still continuing our investigation, and this is a totally separate matter that's being investigated by the Ridgeland Police Department."

The arrest of Mayfield, well known in political, business and legal circles, caused shock in Mississippi amid a criminal case and election that already had Mississippi in the national spotlight.

Said Gov. Phil Bryant in statement regarding Mayfield's death: "Deborah and I are saddened to hear of the loss of Mark Mayfield. He was a longtime friend, and he will be missed. Our prayers go out to his family in this tragic moment."

Third District Rep. Gregg Harper also expressed his sadness about Mayfield's death. "He was a dear friend to many people and such an incredible father and husband," Harper said. "Our late fathers were longtime friends and sat next to each other each week at the Tuesday men's lunch at First Baptist of Jackson. My family and I extend our thoughts and prayers to the Mayfield family during this difficult time."

Mississippi Secretary of State Delbert Hosemann said Mark Mayfield was a friend, an effective attorney and a devoted family man and was deeply committed to the state and the country.

Contact Jimmie E. Gates at jgates@jackson.gannett.com or

(601) 961-7212. Contact Kate Royals

at kroyals@gannett.com or (601) 360-4619. Follow @jgatesnews and @KRRoyals on Twitter.