News Summary
A mistrial has been declared in the capital murder case against Sheldon ‘Timothy’ Herrington Jr., charged in connection with the death of student Jimmie ‘Jay’ Lee. The jury failed to reach a unanimous verdict during proceedings at the Lafayette County Courthouse. Herrington’s defense argued that media coverage compromised his right to a fair trial. Lee, a student at the University of Mississippi, was reported missing in 2022, with his remains found in 2025. The case continues to draw significant public attention and raises concerns about justice.
Oxford, Mississippi – A mistrial has been declared in the capital murder case of Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr., who was charged in connection with the death of University of Mississippi student Jimmie “Jay” Lee. The declaration was made on December 11, 2024, during proceedings at the Lafayette County Courthouse. The jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict, leading to the court’s decision to halt the trial.
Herrington’s defense team argued that extensive media coverage following Lee’s disappearance had compromised their client’s right to a fair trial. This case centers around the events surrounding Lee’s death, which has drawn considerable public attention and concern. Herrington faces serious charges, including capital murder, stemming from the circumstances of Lee’s death in 2022.
Originally scheduled for trial on October 13, 2024, the case has faced numerous delays and developments. Herrington was first arrested in July 2022 when Jimmie Lee went missing. His remains were tragically discovered by hunters in Carroll County in February 2025, leading to a subsequent arrest of Herrington shortly thereafter.
The jury was notified of several critical testimonies during the trial, one of which came from Lee’s mother, Stephanie Lee. She recounted her last interaction with her son on July 8, 2022, when he sent her a birthday text. Concerned by her son’s lack of follow-up communication, she used her phone’s location feature to track him and subsequently contacted law enforcement for a welfare check.
Additionally, a friend of Jay Lee, Jose’ Reyes, testified that upon visiting Lee’s apartment, he heard the barking of Lee’s dog but could not find Lee. The emotional weight of these testimonies underscored the impact of Lee’s mysterious disappearance on those who knew him.
Before the jury began deliberations, the prosecution highlighted elements of Herrington’s online activity, including searches related to strangulation prior to Lee returning to his apartment. Meanwhile, Herrington maintains his innocence, with his attorney, Kevin Horan, arguing that the prosecution lacks direct evidence linking Herrington to Lee’s death. Despite extensive investigations involving 71 search warrants, law enforcement has not found any definitive evidence of a crime.
The jury for the trial was assembled from Forrest County, located approximately 250 miles south of Oxford, in an effort to ensure impartiality amidst the highly publicized nature of the case. Prosecutors have indicated that they do not plan to seek the death penalty; however, a conviction could still result in a life sentence for Herrington, as Mississippi law defines capital murder in this context as a killing committed during the commission of another felony, specifically kidnapping.
Jimmie “Jay” Lee was a notable figure within the LGBTQ+ community and was active in pursuing a master’s degree at the University of Mississippi before his untimely death. In October 2022, a judge legally declared Lee dead due to the extensive duration of his absence, which has left a lasting impact on his family and community.
At the time of his initial arrest, Herrington was released on a $250,000 bond, under conditions that required him to surrender his passport and wear an ankle monitor while awaiting trial. The ongoing developments in this case continue to capture the attention of the local community and beyond, raising essential questions about justice and the legal process involved in high-profile murder trials.
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Additional Resources
- WREG: Suspect in Ole Miss Student’s Death Requests Venue Change
- AP News: Mississippi Murder Trial
- Oxford Eagle: Local Man Charged with Murder
- Encyclopedia Britannica: University of Mississippi
- Google Search: Jimmie Jay Lee
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.
