Oxford, Miss. — A Mississippi judge on Wednesday declared a mistrial in the murder case of Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr., who is accused of the 2022 murder of Jimmy “Jay” Lee, a University of Mississippi student and a notable member of the LGBTQ+ community. The jury could not come to a unanimous decision after deliberating for more than nine hours, prompting the need for a new trial location.
Lee, known for his vibrant participation in drag shows and his studies towards a master’s degree, went missing on July 8, 2022. Despite his body never being located, a judge has declared him deceased. Herrington, 24, a fellow university alum, faces charges of capital murder under accusations of killing Lee while also committing kidnapping.
During the trial, the prosecution aimed to piece together Herrington’s alleged motive and actions, describing a tragic end to a sexual encounter between the two men. According to the prosecutors, Herrington, who was not publicly gay, had previously sent Lee text messages that hinted at more sexual encounters, which allegedly led to Lee’s fatal return to Herrington’s apartment.
On the other hand, Kevin Horan, Herrington’s attorney, contested the prosecution’s narrative, highlighting the lack of physical evidence confirming Lee’s death and suggesting that the text messages did not support the claim that Herrington lured Lee to his apartment.
Throughout the trial, authorities detailed their findings from Herrington’s electronic records, which included troubling internet searches and explicit messages between him and Lee. Notably, one of Herrington’s searches was about the time it takes to strangle someone, logged just minutes before Lee’s last known communication via text message.
Security footage also played a critical role in the case, showing Herrington purchasing duct tape the day Lee disappeared and later appearing to jog away from the parking lot where Lee’s car was found abandoned. This tape, alongside recorded movements from Lee’s phone signal, constructed a timeline that the prosecution used to argue Herrington’s alleged involvement in Lee’s disappearance.
The emotional toll of the trial was visible, as both Herrington’s and Lee’s families attended, seated on opposite sides of the courtroom. Following the mistrial declaration, Judge Kelly Luther advised the families to exit separately and expressed gratitude to the jurors for their efforts despite the inconclusive end.
Discussions for a follow-up trial are underway, as Luther plans to consult with both the defense and prosecution on future proceedings. The potential change of venue aims to facilitate a fair retrial, escaping the local preconceptions that might influence a new jury’s decision.
This trial highlights ongoing challenges in legal cases involving digital evidence and missing persons, reflecting broader issues of how modern relationships and interactions are interpreted in courtrooms.
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