RANKIN COUNTY, Miss. (WJTV) – The state called their final witnesses to the stand in the trial of the Rankin County teen accused of killing her mother.
On Thursday, the state brought forth expert witnesses in rebuttal. They said there were contradictions in Carly Gregg’s story after her arrest in March 2024. Prosecutors said Gregg never told medical professionals about the hallucinations she was experiencing before the shooting death of her mother, 40-year-old Ashley Smylie.
Rebecca Kirk, a professional counselor, said she didn’t notice any changes in Gregg’s mood upon examining her.
“It says appearance, normal grooming and hygiene, attitude, calm and cooperative behavior. No unusual moments or psychomotor changes. Speech normal, right tone, volume without pressure affect, normal range, congruent thought process, goal directed and logical perception and no hallucinations or delusions,” said Kirk.
Psychiatrist Jason Pickett also testified on Thursday. During his testimony, Pickett said he does not believe Gregg has bipolar disorder. He said her actions were intentional based on the video evidence shown in court.
The defense rested its case on Wednesday, one day after the state initially rested its case. Closing arguments are set for Friday morning before the case is turned over to the jury.
Last week, the court denied a motion to transfer Gregg’s case to Youth Court. The state said Gregg cannot plead insanity because of voluntary intoxication. They said she admitted she used marijuana just days before her mother was killed.
During a court appearance in August, Gregg rejected a plea deal in which she would be sentenced to 40 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections (MDOC). Gregg now faces up to life in prison, if convicted by the jury.
A grand jury previously indicted Gregg 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 Health Smylie suffering from a gunshot wound to the shoulder. He told deputies that he arrived home and found his wife 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.