Sentencing

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 – Genesis Moore

Press Release – Genesis Moore

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35-Year Sentence Imposed in fatal jackson gas station shooting caught on video May 27, 2026  (Jackson, MS) Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II, announced that 25-year-old Genesis Moore pleaded guilty to Second-Degree Murder in the shooting death of 45-year-old Christopher Phillips. On August 20, 2023, officers with the Jackson Police Department responded to the Fuel Express Gas Station in reference to a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found Christopher Phillips unresponsive inside a silver 2016 Hyundai Elantra. Phillips was pronounced dead on the scene. Surveillance footage from the gas station showed Phillips sitting inside his vehicle when a white…

Press Release – Ron Allen

Press Release – Ron Allen

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estranged husband sentenced to life in fatal jackson leasing office shooting May 27, 2026 (Jackson, MS) Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II, announced that 54-year-old Ron Allen pleaded guilty to Murder in the shooting death of his estranged wife, 25-year-old Maleah Bess. On July 31, 2025, officers with the Jackson Police Department responded to Westwood Apartments in reference to a shooting inside the leasing office. Upon arrival, officers encountered witnesses who stated that a black male had entered the leasing office moments before gunshots were heard coming from inside the office, where Bess worked as the property manager….

Press Release- Treylin Sojourner

Press Release- Treylin Sojourner

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Second-Degree Murder Plea Entered in Fatal South Jackson Shooting of Marine Veteran May 12, 2026 (Jackson, MS) – Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II, announced today that 32-year-old Treylin Sojourner entered a guilty plea to Second-Degree Murder in connection with the shooting death of 55-year-old Marvin Houck, Jr. The plea was entered following jury selection in Hinds County Circuit Court. On Wednesday, July 17, 2024, officers with the Jackson Police Department responded to Pine Tree Drive and Pine Ridge Drive regarding a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers discovered Marvin Houck, Jr. lying in the roadway with a fatal gunshot…