Hinds County District Attorney Jody Owens issued the following statement.
Hinds County District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II, announced today that a jury has found Carlos Varnell guilty of Murder, Aggravated Assault, and Shooting into an Occupied Vehicle. This verdict stems from a tragic incident that resulted in the death of 28-year-old Miesha Robinson and left 27-year-old Cierra Rhymes seriously injured. On October 24, 2021, officers with the Jackson Police Department responded to a disturbance at 1401 Fortification Street, near a local Mexican Restaurant, involving the victims and an associate of Varnell. Following the altercation, Varnell followed the victims to Rhymes’ apartment complex. As they remained in their vehicle and attempted to flee, Varnell chased them from the complex onto Interstate 55. During the pursuit, he began shooting into their vehicle multiple times, striking Rhymes in the back and Robinson in the stomach. Robinson later succumbed to her injuries at the hospital and Rhymes survived. Varnell fled the scene and traveled to Arkansas, where he was later apprehended and taken into custody.
During trial, the surviving victim positively identified Varnell as the individual who pursued their vehicle and fired the shots. Evidence also established that he was the sole occupant and driver of the vehicle used in the attack. Varnell was found guilty of all counts against him. He was sentenced to life in prison plus an additional 15 years to serve in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections. “This was a tragic situation that escalated into irreversible violence,” said District Attorney Jody E. Owens, II. “One life was taken; another forever impacted, and multiple families are left carrying that weight. Today’s verdict ensures accountability and brings a measure of justice to those affected."
8 comments:
The ingrained culture-
What sort of 'altercation' could produce enough anger to last that long, in pursuit, to the apartments, to the interstate, to firing into the vehicle?
Can't imagine, but 'The Devil works in mysterious ways'.
Culture, not anger. Shoot first....eff it.
Death penalty would have been "justice".
Ol' Jody has finally gotten to work since his federal indictment. Sort of.
So is does this entail no possibility of parole? (he prayerfully asks)
"Part-time" DA Jody continues to attempt to influence the federal jury pool, one case at a time.
Just trying to make himself look better in hopes of a lighter sentence.
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