News Summary
A mistrial has been declared in the murder case of University of Mississippi student Jimmie ‘Jay’ Lee after the jury couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict. Sheldon ‘Timothy’ Herrington Jr. is accused of the murder, and a new trial date has been set for December 2025. Herrington remains in custody without bond, facing serious charges after Lee’s remains were found. The case has garnered significant media attention, prompting a change of venue for the upcoming trial.
Oxford, Mississippi – Mistrial Declared in Murder Case of Ole Miss Student Jay Lee; New Trial Set for December 2025
A mistrial has been declared in the murder case of University of Mississippi student Jimmie “Jay” Lee. The decision was announced on December 11, 2024, after the jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict regarding the charges against Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr., who is accused of murdering Lee.
Following the mistrial, Herrington and his defense team exited the Lafayette County Courthouse in Oxford, Mississippi, where the trial was held. The new trial date for Herrington has been set for December 1, 2025. This upcoming trial will see jurors selected from Madison County and transported to Lafayette County.
Herrington remains in custody at the Lafayette County Jail without bond after initially being arrested weeks after Lee’s disappearance on July 8, 2022. At the time of the first trial, Lee’s body had not yet been found. However, Lee’s remains were discovered by hunters in Carroll County in February 2025, leading to Herrington’s re-arrest on new charges, including capital murder.
Details Surrounding the Case
Herrington is accused of murdering Lee to conceal their alleged romantic relationship. The first trial involved jurors from Forrest County, which is located in southern Mississippi. During the previous trial, the jury voted 11-1 in favor of conviction but was ultimately unable to reach a unanimous decision, resulting in the mistrial.
Prosecutors decided against seeking the death penalty for Herrington despite the serious nature of the charges. Previously, Herrington’s bond had been set at $250,000 but was revoked after a new indictment in February 2025. An allegation of tampering with evidence related to Lee’s death was ultimately dismissed due to the statute of limitations.
In July 2025, Lee’s family filed a wrongful death lawsuit against Herrington and five alleged co-conspirators. The lawsuit claims that Herrington assaulted Lee on the day of his disappearance, leading to Lee’s death, and that there was a conspiracy among the accused to conceal Lee’s body. The suit also alleges that this conspiracy caused emotional distress for Lee’s family.
Background Context
The case has drawn significant media attention and public scrutiny, prompting a judge to grant a change of venue for the upcoming trial. The Mississippi State Crime Lab confirmed that the remains discovered in February 2025 belonged to Jay Lee, providing a critical piece of evidence for the prosecution. Herrington’s attorney has filed motions to dismiss charges, arguing that they were time-barred, indicating potential legal complexities as the case progresses.
As the new trial approaches, it will be essential for both the prosecution and defense teams to prepare thoroughly, building their cases with the newly available evidence surrounding the discovery of Lee’s remains and the allegations in the wrongful death lawsuit. The outcome of the new trial remains uncertain as Herrington maintains his innocence throughout the proceedings.
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Additional Resources
- Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss Student Jay Lee Murder Case
- WLBT: Capital Murder Retrial for Timothy Herrington Jr.
- Clarion Ledger: New Trial Date for Herrington in Jay Lee Case
- Oxford Eagle: Judge Denies Bond for Timothy Herrington
- Wikipedia: Murder in the United States
Author: STAFF HERE OXFORD WRITER
The OXFORD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREOxford.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Oxford, Lafayette County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Oxford Film Festival, Double Decker Arts Festival, and University of Mississippi football games. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Oxford-Lafayette County Chamber of Commerce and the University of Mississippi, plus leading businesses in education and retail that power the local economy such as Ole Miss Athletics and Square Books. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Mississippi's dynamic landscape.
