Carly Gregg found guilty of murdering her mother

Carly Gregg, 15, was found guilty of murdering her mother and trying to kill her stepfather, facing life imprisonment.

Carly Gregg, a 15-year-old from Mississippi, was found guilty of murdering her mother and attempting to kill her stepfather.

The jury reached the verdict after just two hours of deliberation on Friday. Gregg, who had previously rejected a 40-year plea deal, broke down in tears as the decision was announced.

Gregg was on trial in Rankin County Circuit Court for the March 2024 fatal shooting of her mother, Ashley Smylie, who police say was shot twice in the face. Gregg then attempted to shoot her stepfather and ran from the scene.

Prosecutors argued that Gregg's actions were premeditated, pointing to a journal she kept, which included disturbing beliefs such as "You don't need family" and "It's okay to be evil." Prosecutor Katherine Newman highlighted these entries, stating, "She told us what her intent was."

Gregg's defense team pleaded insanity, claiming she had been haunted by mental health issues and disassociated at the time of the crime. "There is no disputing the fact that Carly loved her mother and stepfather," the defense argued, emphasizing that Gregg had no history of violence and her actions shocked those who knew her.

Despite these claims, the prosecution's expert witness, Dr. Pickett, testified that Gregg did not suffer from bipolar disorder and was mentally competent during the crime. The jury will now decide whether Gregg should receive life in prison without the possibility of parole, as prosecutors urged the court to impose the maximum sentence.