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Judge grants venue change for suspect in Ole Miss student’s death

By Kaitlin Howell Jun 10, 2025 | 10:09 AM

OXFORD, Miss. (WJTV) – A judge granted a change of venue motion for the man accused of killing University of Mississippi student Jimmie “Jay” Lee.

According to court documents, Lafayette County Circuit Court Judge J. Kelly Luther considered the evidence in support of the motion and granted it. The location of Sheldon Timothy Herrington’s retrial has not been determined as of June 10.

Herrington and his attorney wanted a change of venue due to extensive news coverage and social media posts about the case. Herrington argued that he would not receive a fair trial.

Herrington’s request for a change of venue grantedDownload

Herrington has been charged with capital murder in the case and has pled not guilty. The state said in court that they will not be seeking the death penalty.

Herrington’s retrial has been scheduled for October 13, 2025.

Jimmie “Jay” Lee and his accused killer Timothy Herrington (Mugshot from Oxford Police Department)

Herrington was accused of killing Lee to hide an alleged romantic relationship in 2022. He went to trial in December 2024, but a jury was unable to reach a verdict and a mistrial was declared.

Herrington is in custody at the Lafayette County Jail.

Lee’s remains weren’t found for nearly three years, until February 2025. The Mississippi Crime Lab confirmed through DNA analysis that the remains belonged to Lee.