Circuit Judge Kelly Luther declared a mistrial just after 8:40 p.m. Wednesday in the Capital Murder trial of Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr., the Grenada man who has been on trial for eight days for the murder of University of Mississippi student Jimmie “Jay” Lee, a well-known member of the LGBTQ+ community, in Oxford.
A jury deliberated for approximately 9 1/2 hours before the mistrial was declared.
“I thank you for your efforts,” Judge Luther said after receiving a third note indicating deadlock and asking bailiffs to bring the jury back into the courtroom. “Have you reviewed all of the evidence thoroughly?”
A jury spokesperson answered in the affirmative.
“I’m going to declare a mistrial,” Judge Luther continued. “I appreciate your effort.”
Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr.
The jury then exited through the Jury Room and bused out.
The jury was considering Capital Murder, First- and Second-Degree Murder or Manslaughter as potential convictions or a not guilty verdict after closing arguments Wednesday morning at the Lafayette County Court House.
Herrington Jr. will remain free on bond until future proceedings. He has been out on a $250,000 bond since December 2022. He was arrested on July 22, 2022, and charged with Lee’s murder. Following his mistrial declaration, Judge Luther gave Herrington Jr.’s attorney, Kevin Horan of Grenada, instructions to ensure his client’s bond remains current.
Lee was last seen leaving his west Oxford apartment on July 8, 2022, but his body has never been found. The investigation extended into Grenada County. A Lafayette County judge declared Lee dead in November.
