MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The murder trial for Timothy Herrington Jr., the man charged with capital murder in the death of University of Mississippi student Jimmie “Jay” Lee imoved into its fourth day of testimony Friday.
The state called a number of witnesses Friday in its case against Timothy Herrington Jr., presenting evidence gathered outside Lafayette County and drawing an immediate objection from defense counsel.
“Now I understand they’re wanting to head to Grenada to start introducing videos in Grenada without any connection to any crime or anything whatsoever,” defense attorney Kevin Horan said.
Before the jury arrived, Herrington’s attorney argued a body has yet to be found, or proof a murder has occurred.
“You have got to prove corpus delecti in the fashion that it’s done,” Horan said.
The state countered, “Obviously we do not have a body in this case. Obviously because of that we’re proving a circumstantial case,” prosecuting attorney Gwensoline Agho said.
She said the last person who saw Jay Lee alive is Tim Herrington.
“The evidence that’s come forward right now, your honor, is that Tim Herrington invited him over to his house, his apartment,” Agho said, “that right before he got there, Tim Herrington Googled, ‘how long does it take to strangle someone?'”
Judge John Kelly Luther allowed the state to continue its circumstantial evidence case.
When the jury was finally seated the state made its connection between the defendant and a white box truck Herrington co-owned, and was used to move furniture.
The truck was seen the morning of July 8, 2022 in Oxford, allegedly driven by Herrington. After that it was seen at the Oxford Walmart, inquiring about large garbage containers and purchasing a roll of packing tape.
That same day the box truck was seen at the home of Herrington’s parents in Grenada. The state contends Herrington loaded shovels and a wheelbarrow in the truck.
The vehicle was also seen at a Grenada bank ATM on the afternoon of July 8, 2022.
Oxford Police seized the truck.
Friday, jurors also saw the video of investigators questioning Herrington at his apartment July 22, 2022 and later at police headquarters, where the defendant asked for a lawyer.