Hinds County Jury Returns Guilty Verdict in Murder of Legally Blind Woman
May 8, 2026
(Jackson, MS) – (Jackson, MS) Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II, announced today that a jury has found 28-year-old Marquiz McLaurin guilty of Second-Degree Murder in the death of 24-year-old Bridget Harkins.
On February 21, 2020, officers with the Jackson Police Department responded to a residence at 1630 Morson Road in reference to a deceased individual. Upon arrival, officers found Bridget Harkins lying on the living room floor with visible injuries to her body.
Investigators learned that Harkins, who was legally blind and had diabetes and bipolar disorder, had been living at the residence with her caregiver, Leah Burch, and her boyfriend, Marquiz McLaurin. Burch told investigators that Harkins had been experiencing medical and behavioral issues throughout the day and was not taking her prescribed medication. Burch told investigators that while she attempted to check Harkins’ glucose levels later that evening, McLaurin became angry and repeatedly struck Harkins in the face and head with both a closed fist and an open hand. After the assault, Harkins became incoherent and unable to speak. Rather than seeking medical assistance, McLaurin and Burch left Harkins untreated overnight and went to sleep.
The following morning, Harkins was found unresponsive inside the home. Burch stated that she and McLaurin moved Harkins to the living room near a heater. When Burch attempted to wake her, she received no response and observed that Harkins’ body was cold and stiff. Burch then contacted her mother, who advised her to call 911. Harkins was pronounced dead at the scene. An autopsy later determined the cause of death to be multiple blunt traumatic injuries.
McLaurin was found guilty of Second -Degree Murder and faces up to 40 years in prison to be served in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. He will be sentenced on June 8th, 2026.
“This case involved the abuse of a legally blind and medically vulnerable individual who depended entirely on others for care. Instead of protection, she was met with violence from someone who should have ensured her safety,” said District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II. “That violence took her life, and the defendant will now spend the rest of his life in prison.”
Hinds Co. man found guilty for killing legally blind woman
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JODY E. OWENS, I
