Mistrial declared after jury deadlocks over killing of gay University of Mississippi student
CBSN
A judge Wednesday declared a mistrial in the murder case against Sheldon "Timothy" Herrington Jr., who was accused of killing Jimmy "Jay" Lee, a gay man who was a prominent figure in the LGBTQ+ community at the University of Mississippi, in 2022. Lee disappeared and his body has never been found, but a judge declared him dead.
Jurors said they were unable to reach a verdict after over nine and a half hours of deliberation. They had been instructed to find Herrington guilty of either capital murder, first-degree murder, second-degree murder, or manslaughter by culpable negligence, or find him not guilty, CBS affiliate WREG reported. The judge said another venue may be needed for Herrington's new trial, according to the station.
Herrington, 24, showed little emotion as he left the courtroom with his attorneys and several relatives. He remains free on bond and is still charged with capital murder, which Mississippi law defines as a killing committed along with another felony — in this case, kidnapping. Prosecutors had said they would not seek the death penalty. He faces life in prison if he is tried again and convicted.