A 15-year-old from Mississippi, Carly Gregg, has been sentenced to life in prison without parole for the tragic shooting of her mother and an attempted attack on her stepfather. The court proceedings on Friday revealed the emotional gravity of the situation as Gregg sobbed upon receiving her sentence for first-degree murder, attempted murder, and tampering with evidence.
Rankin County District Attorney Bubba Bramlett described Gregg as “evil,” stating that such darkness can emerge even in youth. The shocking incident occurred in March when Gregg shot her mother, Ashley Smylie, a 40-year-old high school math teacher, inside their home. Gruesome home surveillance footage showed her moving around with a concealed firearm before the gunfire erupted.
Prosecutors indicated that the shooting was sparked by a conflict over Gregg’s marijuana use following her mother’s discovery of vape pens in her room. During the incident, Gregg fired at her mother three times and subsequently texted her stepfather, Heath Smylie, about his arrival home.
Upon Heath’s return, Gregg also shot him in the shoulder using the .357 Magnum he had given Ashley. Luckily, Heath managed to disarm her and escape the house, leading to Gregg’s quick capture nearby.
Despite the horrendous circumstances, Heath Smylie testified for his stepdaughter and even expressed his love for her during court proceedings. Gregg’s defense claimed she was experiencing a severe mental health crisis at the time, highlighting diagnoses of bipolar disorder and other distressing symptoms. However, the prosecution argued that she was aware of her actions, portraying her behavior as narcissistic and calculated.
After just two hours of deliberation, the jury found Gregg guilty and spent an additional hour discussing her sentence. Her legal team has announced plans to appeal the decision.