Starting Monday, Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr. on trial for the murder of University of Mississippi student Jimmie “Jay” Lee.
Lee, a 20-year-old remembered as a beloved member of Oxford’s LGBTQ+ community, went missing in July 2022. Two weeks after Lee’s disappearance, authorities arrested Herrington, who was later charged with murder in connection with the case. Herrington was a 22-year-old Ole Miss student from Grenada at the time of the alleged crime.
In October, a judge declared Lee legally dead, but the whereabouts of Lee’s body are still unknown.
Here’s everything we know ahead of the upcoming trial:
When is the murder trial of Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr.?
Herrington is scheduled to stand trial on December 2.
When the trial begins next month at the Lafayette County Courthouse, the jury may come from another part of the state, as Herrington’s defense team previously argued that a fair trial cannot be assured within county lines. A jury will be sequestered for the duration of the trial, which is expected to last about two weeks.
Who is Jimmy ‘Jay’ Lee?
Previous Clarion Ledger reports indicated that Lee was a well-known member of Oxford’s LGBTQ community, regularly performing at Code Pink, a local drag night. An open, confident person, Lee ran for Homecoming King in 2021 to promote a platform of “self-love and living your truth.” Lee repeatedly spoke about the harassment he received for wearing women’s clothing.
Lee, who studied social work at Ole Miss, graduated with his bachelor’s degree in May 2022. Lee was also a graduate of Murrah High School in Jackson.
Lee’s disappearance sparked fear among students and residents. In response, Oxford police released a statement saying this crime was an “isolated incident” that did not reflect a broader threat to gays in Mississippi.
Oxford police are investigating the disappearance of Jimmie “Jay” Lee, a Murrah High School graduate from Jackson.
Family of Jimmie “Jay” Lee speaks: The Jackson woman hoped her missing brother, Jimmie “Jay” Lee, would be found safely
Where does Sheldon become Timothy Herrington Jr.? accused of?
According to previous Clarion Ledger reporting, Lee was last seen on July 8, 2022, leaving the Campus Walk Apartments in Oxford. Lee drove away in a black 2014 Ford Fusion with a modified “JAYLEE1” license plate and has not been heard from since. The vehicle was later recovered at another apartment complex, but Lee’s body was not found.
In late July 2022, authorities arrested Herrington. In early December 2022, Herrington was released on a $250,000 bond. In March 2023, a grand jury indicted Herrington on murder charges in connection with Lee’s sudden disappearance. Herrington allegedly killed Lee to conceal a romantic relationship between the two.
Authorities said Herrington’s cell phone history showed conversations between Herrington and Lee on the morning of July 8. After the conversation, Lee left his apartment and went to Herrington’s apartment. Herrington reportedly searched the computer for international travel and searched Google for “how long does it take to strangle someone” minutes after Lee allegedly told Herrington he was on his way to the apartment.
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Defense is trying to seal the case: See how the judge ruled on a motion to seal the case against the man accused of killing Ole Miss student Jay Lee
Has Jimmie “Jay” Lee been found?
In October, a Lafayette County judge declared Lee legally dead at the request of Lee’s family.
According to court documents, Lee’s parents filed a motion for declaration of death in Lafayette County Circuit Court in September. The request was granted and signed by Judge Grady Tollison.
In the one-page order, Tollison noted that the court previously found that the “evidence is clear and the presumption is strong” that Lee was dead, and further stated that the court’s opinion “has not changed.”
“It is hereby ordered and ruled that Jimmie Dale Lee III is presumed dead as a result of a catastrophic event that occurred on July 8, 2022,” the order said.
As of November 26, the whereabouts of Lee’s body is still unknown.
More details about the judge’s order: Ole Miss student Jimmie Jay Lee declared legally dead ahead of trial for accused murderer
What punishment can Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr. risk?
A March 2023 court filing states that jurors indicted Herrington on capital murder charges for killing and kidnapping Lee. If convicted, Herrington faces the death penalty or life in prison without parole.
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Sheldon Timothy Herrington is on trial in Oxford, MS in the death of Jay Lee
