Former Mississippi Court of Appeals Judge Sean Tindell, now the Commissioner of the Department of Public Safety (DPS), faces renewed scrutiny over a controversial ruling during his judicial tenure. Allegedly, he authored, or joined, an opinion denying Lindsey—a grieving widow—the right to her deceased husband’s life insurance payout.

Lindsey’s husband died, leaving behind a life insurance policy naming his estranged mother as primary beneficiary. Her husband was in the process of changing it when he unexpectedly died at age 35. 

Lindsey alleges her mother‑in‑law filed a competing claim—arguing technicalities or asserting entitlement.

At the appellate level, Judge Tindell reportedly authored or joined an opinion validating the mother‑in‑law's claim and denying Lindsey’s.

According to Lindsey, Tindell’s panel focused on procedural details—disputes over beneficiary designation, filing deadlines, or documentation errors.

Critics argue the decision favored someone with more legal resources, lacking compassion for a grieving widow.

Lindsey has since made her story public—framing it as a miscarriage of justice, with wider implications for widows and insurance law.

She alleges the mother-in-law effectively “tried to steal the payout” and that Tindell’s ruling enabled it.