RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – The Rankin County teenager who allegedly killed her mother and injured her step-father during a shooting in Rankin County appeared in court on Tuesday, July 23.

During Tuesday’s court hearing, 14-year-old Carly Gregg’s defense attempted to close court proceedings to the news media. The defense argued that continued media coverage of the case will have a potential impact on the jurors.

“They’re being tried and decided online or by people watching. But when people are making their decisions, they’re only getting tidbits of information about hearings that are being played. So, they’re not really getting all of the evidence, or they’re not getting evidence in the right context before they form opinions,” said Bridget Todd, Gregg’s attorney.

Judge Dewey K. Arthur ruled the proceedings will remain open.

A grand jury indicted Gregg for on the counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder and tampering with evidence.

The shooting happened just after 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19 in the 200 block of Ashton Way.

When deputies arrived at the location, they found a man suffering from a gunshot wound to the shoulder. The man told deputies that he arrived home and found his wife, who was identified as 40-year-old Ashley Smylie, deceased from an apparent gunshot wound. He claimed his 14-year-old step-daughter was armed with a pistol.

According to Rankin County Sheriff Bryan Bailey, the victim stated Gregg shot him in the shoulder. The man was able to take the weapon from the teenager, who then ran into the backyard and jumped over a fence.

Bailey said additional deputies responded to the scene, along with the Mississippi Highway Patrol’s (MHP) helicopter. Just after 5:30 p.m., Gregg was located not far from the residence and taken into custody without incident.

During her initial court appearance, Gregg pled not guilty to the charges. Her bond was set at $1 million. She is being held in the Rankin County Adult Detention Center.

Gregg’s trial is expected to start in September 2024.