Domestic Violence

Press Release – Marcell Martin

Press Release – Marcell Martin

Posted on Press Release

Valentine’s Day Murder: Husband Sentenced to 25 Years for Killing Wife  November 5th, 2025 (Jackson, MS) Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II, announced today that 48-year-old Marcell Martin has pled guilty during trial to Second-Degree Murder in the shooting death of his wife, 48-year-old Varga Mae McCray-Martin.   On February 14th, 2019, officers with the Jackson Police Department responded to a shooting at 319 Alexander Street. Upon arrival, officers discovered the body of Varga Mae McCray-Martin lying face up in the living room in a pool of blood. She had suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the head, face, and…

Press Release – Isaiah McCray

Press Release – Isaiah McCray

Posted on Press Release

Guilty Plea Entered in Domestic Violence Murder  June 9th, 2025 (Jackson, MS) Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II, announced that Isaiah McCray, 28, has pleaded guilty to Second Degree Murder in the shooting death of 25-year-old TeKayla Cornelius, who was killed during a domestic dispute in May 2023.   On May 21, 2023, officers with the Jackson Police Department responded to reports of a shooting near Wabash and Ohio Street, where they found Cornelius suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Despite emergency efforts, she was pronounced dead at the scene. A short time later, it was determined that the defendant,…

Press Release – Ryan Christopher Hopkins

Press Release – Ryan Christopher Hopkins

Posted on Press Release

Throat-slashing murderer found guilty in love triangle plot February 20, 2026 (Jackson, MS) Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens II announced that a Hinds County jury has returned a guilty verdict against Ryan Christopher Hopkins for the murder of Celeste McDonald. Hopkins was convicted on charges of first-degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder following a case that revealed a calculated and deeply disturbing chain of events. Just nine days before the murder, Celeste McDonald had accused Hopkins of rape, providing motive for the violence. On March 31, 2019, Hopkins and his girlfriend, Yolanda Torns, drove to Forest, Mississippi,…

Press Release-Kenny Wiggins

Press Release-Kenny Wiggins

Posted on Press Release

Repeat Felon Sentenced for Firing Gun at Girlfriend During Domestic Violence Dispute May 7th, 2025 (Jackson, MS) Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II, announced a guilty verdict in the trial of Kenny Wiggins, who was convicted of Domestic Aggravated Assault and Felon in Possession of a Firearm. The charges stem from a violent domestic incident in which Wiggins fired a handgun at his girlfriend during a confrontation. On August 30, 2022, officers responded to reports of a domestic altercation where the defendant, who was in a romantic relationship with the victim, fired a handgun at her during a…

Press Release-Kristopher BoClair

Press Release-Kristopher BoClair

Posted on Press Release

Son Sentenced to 25 Years for Fatally Stabbing His Paralyzed Father March 19, 2025 (Jackson, MS) Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II, announced that Kristopher BoClair has been sentenced to 25 years in prison after pleading guilty to second-degree murder in the fatal stabbing of his father, Kenneth BoClair. On the morning of November 30, 2022, Jackson Police responded to 315 Riser Street after receiving a call from the defendant’s mother, Lataunya Wallace, who reported that her son confessed to killing his father. When officers arrived on the scene, they found 58-year-old Kenneth BoClair, who was paralyzed and…