first-degree murder

Press Release – Jordan Thurmond

Press Release – Jordan Thurmond

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Defendant Faces Up to 40 years in prison for murder of missing man June 17, 2026 (Jackson, MS) – ) Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II, announced that 26-year-old Jordan Thurmond was found guilty of Second-Degree Murder in the shooting death of 29-year-old Dan Belton. The case began on September 19, 2023, when a woman arrived at the Jackson Police Department to report her boyfriend, Dan Belton, missing. She told investigators that Belton had not been seen since September 16, 2023, and that the last time she saw him, he left with Justin Thurmond, Jordan Thurmond’s uncle. While…

Press Release – Charity Barnes

Press Release – Charity Barnes

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Road rage killing at jackson intersection results in life sentence June 5, 2026 (Jackson, MS) – Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II, announced today that 47-year-old Charity Barnes has been found guilty of First-Degree Murder in the shooting death of 39-year-old Melissa Turner. On August 20, 2021, officers with the Jackson Police Department responded to a shooting at the intersection of West Street and Woodrow Wilson Avenue. Upon arrival, officers found Melissa Turner suffering from a gunshot wound to the shoulder. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she later succumbed to her injuries. Investigators learned that…

Press Release- Marquiz Mclaurin

Press Release- Marquiz Mclaurin

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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…

Press Release- Christopher Barber

Press Release- Christopher Barber

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Life Plus 40 Years: Sentence Handed Down in Daylight Gas Station Murder Case April 28, 2026 (Jackson, MS) –Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II, announced today that a jury has returned a guilty verdict against 30-year-old Christopher Barber in connection with a deadly shooting that occurred on Super Bowl Sunday in Jackson. The conviction stems from a February 7, 2021, incident at the Jasco gas station at 1038 Woodrow Wilson Boulevard. The entire incident was captured on store surveillance cameras. Evidence established that Christopher Lee was inside the store when Justin Partee, Barber, and Aaron Hudson (driver) arrived…

Press Release- Carlos Varnell

Press Release- Carlos Varnell

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Jury Convicts Defendant in Deadly interstate Shooting That Killed One And Injured Another April 15, 2026 (Jackson, MS) – Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II, announced today that a jury has found Carlos Varnell guilty of Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle. This verdict stems from a tragic incident that resulted in the death of 28-year-old Miesha Robinson and left 27-year-old Cierra Rhymes seriously injured. On October 24, 2021, officers with the Jackson Police Department responded to a disturbance at 1401 Fortification Street, near a local Mexican Restaurant, involving the victims and an associate of…