News Summary
The trial of Sheldon Timothy Herrington, charged with the capital murder of University of Mississippi student Jimmie Lee, is set for December 1, 2025, following a mistrial in December 2024. Concerns over media influence prompted a change of venue for the jury selection, which will occur before the trial at the Lafayette County Courthouse. Herrington remains in custody without bond while maintaining a not guilty plea. The case, which has drawn significant public attention, highlights the challenges of the judicial process in high-profile murders.
Oxford, Mississippi – The trial of Sheldon Timothy Herrington, charged with the murder of University of Mississippi student Jimmie “Jay” Lee, has been rescheduled for December 1, 2025. Jury selection is set to begin at 9:00 a.m. on that date in a venue yet to be determined. The change in the trial date follows a mistrial in December 2024, where the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.
The decision for a new jury selection venue comes as concerns regarding extensive media coverage and social media scrutiny prompted a change of location. In June 2025, Herrington was granted a change of venue, a request that the prosecution did not oppose. Following jury selection, the selected panel will be transported to the Lafayette County Courthouse in Oxford for the trial proceedings.
Sheldon Herrington faces charges of capital murder and has maintained a plea of not guilty. The state has announced that it will not seek the death penalty in this case. Herrington has remained in custody at the Lafayette County Jail without bond as he awaits the new trial date.
The timeline of this case began on July 8, 2022, when Jimmie Lee disappeared, prompting his mother to report him missing after losing contact. Shortly after Lee’s disappearance, Herrington was arrested and charged with the murder, allegedly to conceal their romantic relationship.
In February 2025, nearly three years after Lee was reported missing, law enforcement officials identified the remains of Jimmie Lee through DNA analysis conducted by the Mississippi Crime Lab. This identification led to a new indictment against Herrington for capital murder and tampering with evidence on February 7, 2025. However, the tampering charge was subsequently dismissed with prejudice due to it falling outside the two-year statute of limitations.
The initial trial in December 2024 did not result in a conviction as the jury deliberated for more than nine hours, ultimately resulting in an 11-1 split verdict without a unanimous agreement. This outcome necessitated the need for a retrial, and both the prosecution and defense are preparing for the upcoming proceedings.
Family members of Jimmie Lee continue to advocate for justice, expressing an unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth regarding the events surrounding his disappearance and death. This case has captured the attention of the local community and beyond, with many following the developments closely.
The upcoming trial marks another critical juncture in a case that has lingered in the public consciousness for over three years. The new date is set to determine whether or not the court will reach a resolution in this high-profile matter.
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Additional Resources
- Clarion Ledger: Oxford Judge Sets New Trial Date for Herrington
- Fox13 Memphis: Change of Venue in Retrial for Ole Miss Student Murder
- WLBT: Change of Venue in Herrington Murder Trial
- Action News 5: Trial Date Set for Ole Miss Student’s Murder
- WLBT: Mistrial Declared in Jimmie Jay Lee Murder Case
- Wikipedia: 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.
