Life in Prison

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- Marcus Ashburn

Press Release- Marcus Ashburn

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Man Sentenced To Life in Prison After Auto Theft Conviction and Dangerous High-Speed Chase February 20, 2026 (Jackson, MS) Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens II announced today the sentencing of JaWayne Carter, 32, who was found guilty on January 7, 2026, of auto theft following an incident that escalated into a dangerous high-speed chase through the streets of Jackson, ultimately ending in a crash and subsequent foot pursuit. On October 10, 2022, officers with the Jackson Police Department responded to Advance Installation Maintenance LLC regarding a stolen vehicle. The victim reported leaving the truck unattended for a brief…

Press Release – Jimmie Owens

Press Release – Jimmie Owens

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Man Sentenced to Life in Prison After 45-Minute Jury Deliberation in Child Sexual Assault Case October 16th, 2025 (Jackson, MS) – Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II, announced that a jury has found 39-year-old Jimmie Owens guilty of one count of Sexual Battery of a child under the age of 14.   On September 8th, 2021, officers with the Jackson Police Department responded to a disturbance call at 6328 Abraham Lincoln Drive. Upon arrival, officers made contact with the child’s mother, Shalayla Honey, who reported exiting the shower to find her boyfriend, Jimmie Owens, alone in her 7-year-old daughter’s…

Press Release- Jordan Cummins

Press Release- Jordan Cummins

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State v. Jordan Cummins june 19, 2024 (Jackson, MS) After a nearly two-week-long trial, Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II, announces the successful prosecution of 29-year-old Jordan Cummins who was found guilty of two counts of First-Degree Murder for killing two individuals at the 2023 St. Patrick’s Day Parade. On March 25, 2023, Capitol Police Investigators responded to the scene of a shooting along the parade route near Amite and Jefferson Street, where they discovered Joshua Spann, 27, and Auden Jubilee Simpkins, 23 were shot to death outside the State Fairgrounds. Cummins opened fire killing both victims, after…