A Rankin County, Mississippi teenager, Carly Madison Gregg, has been sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the murder of her mother, Ashley Smylie. The 15-year-old was also convicted of the attempted murder of her stepfather and tampering with evidence.
The tragic events unfolded in March when Gregg entered her mother’s bedroom and fatally shot her. She then texted her stepfather, Heath Smylie, urging him to return home, where she shot him upon his arrival, grazing his shoulder.
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The jury deliberated for two hours before finding Gregg guilty and an additional hour to determine her sentence. Prosecutors argued for a life sentence, citing Gregg’s “zero remorse” as a justification.
Gregg’s defense team, led by Kevin Camp, argued for a lesser sentence, highlighting her young age (14 at the time of the crime) and mental health struggles. They contended that a life sentence would only compound the family’s suffering. Despite their efforts, the jury handed down the maximum penalty.
The teen’s stepfather, Heath Smylie, described her as a “sweet little girl” and recounted finding her in a distressed state on the day of the shooting. He testified that they maintain regular contact and believes she didn’t recognize him during the incident.
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The trial included the presentation of surveillance video showing Gregg entering her mother’s bedroom with a concealed gun, followed by the sound of gunshots and screams. Prosecutors also revealed that Gregg had invited a friend over to see her mother’s body after the shooting.
Gregg’s defense centered on an insanity plea, with expert testimony from a child psychologist detailing her history of depression, anxiety, and possible PTSD stemming from the death of her sister when she was four. However, the prosecution presented witnesses who testified to Gregg’s competency to stand trial and argued she didn’t meet the legal criteria for insanity.
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Following the verdict, District Attorney Bubba Bramlett acknowledged the difficulty of the case, stating, “Carly Gregg is evil. That’s not easy to say, but the truth of the matter is sometimes evil comes in young packages, small packages — and this is one of those cases.” He emphasized that while it’s tragic to see a 15-year-old sentenced to life in prison, it’s the appropriate consequence for her actions.
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