The trial of Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr., accused of murdering University of Mississippi student Jimmie “Jay” Lee, has uncovered a trail of conflicting statements, chilling evidence, and a community left searching for answers. On Tuesday, Oxford Police Chief Jeff McCutchen testified that Herrington’s lies during police interviews convinced investigators they were dealing with a crime.
Jay Lee, a 20-year-old master’s student and prominent LGBTQ+ advocate in Oxford, disappeared on July 8, 2022. Known for his creativity and drag performances, Lee was last heard from when he sent a birthday message to his mother hours before vanishing. Herrington, 24, was arrested two weeks later after evidence began to mount against him.
Evidence Presented in Court
During testimony, Chief McCutchen explained how Herrington’s conflicting accounts of his whereabouts on the morning of Lee’s disappearance raised significant red flags. Investigators revealed that Google records showed Herrington had searched “how long does it take to strangle someone” just before 6 a.m. on the day Lee went missing. Hours later, Lee’s phone sent a final text message to Herrington from a location near Herrington’s apartment before all activity ceased.
Security cameras captured Herrington jogging away from a parking lot where Lee’s car was abandoned around 7:30 a.m. that same morning. Additional footage showed Herrington purchasing duct tape in Oxford before driving to his hometown of Grenada in a white box truck later that day.
While Herrington’s defense attorney, Kevin Horan, argued that no physical evidence such as DNA linked Herrington to Lee’s disappearance, investigators noted that searches of Herrington’s apartment and truck were conducted days to weeks after the disappearance, limiting their findings.
A Complex Persona and a Community in Mourning
The trial also shed light on Herrington’s background. A member of a prominent family in Grenada, Herrington operated a furniture-moving business while studying at Ole Miss. Testimony revealed that Herrington had not openly identified as gay, a contrast to the sexually explicit messages exchanged between him and Lee in the hours leading up to Lee’s disappearance.
Jay Lee’s absence has left a deep void in the Oxford community. Known for his vibrant personality and dedication to advocacy, Lee was pursuing his master’s degree while actively engaging with the local LGBTQ+ scene. His disappearance and presumed death have galvanized support from groups like Justice for Jay Lee, which continues to call for answers and accountability.
Closing Arguments and What Lies Ahead
Both the prosecution and defense rested their cases on Tuesday, with closing arguments set for Wednesday. Although Jay Lee’s body has not been found, a judge has declared him legally dead, allowing prosecutors to move forward with a charge of capital murder. Herrington, if convicted, faces a life sentence without parole, as prosecutors have chosen not to seek the death penalty.
Chief McCutchen affirmed law enforcement’s commitment to finding Lee’s remains, stating, “We’ve been looking for Jay Lee’s body for two years, and we’re not going to stop ’til we find it.”
As the trial approaches its conclusion, Oxford and the University of Mississippi community anxiously await a verdict, seeking justice for a young life cut tragically short.
