Jackson Jambalaya

* Defense attorney Bridget Todd said this is not a whodunit case but a "why case." Why did she shoot at her mom, why did she shoot at her stepfather? 

Todd says there are three victims, Ashley Smiley, Heath Smiley, and Carly Gregg.  Gregg suffered from a mental illness and was not aware she suffered from a mental illness.  Her parents were not aware either.  The events on March 19 were "tragic but not intentional."  "Carly Gregg loved her mother and had a loving, close relationship."  Carly's stepfather is still supporting her.  

The state's case is "filled with inconsistencies because they are not telling the whole story," said Todd. 

* The prosecution played the 911 call made by Heath Smiley after he was shot.  An understandably hysterical Smiley tried to answer the 911 dispatcher's questions after he said she shot him.  He said Gregg and a friend ran into the back yard and climbed over the fence. The operator obtained a physical description from the stepfather.  Smiley screamed "She killed her mom" as the operator said help was on the way.  The victim cried "That's what I'm screaming about." (1:25:00).  Smiley cried, obviously in shock, as the operator tried to get him to speak again (It's hard to listen to).  

The operator asked him where was his wife. "She's dead on the floor in my step-daughter's room," sobbed Smiley.  The operators country twang remained in an artificial-sounding monotone voice.  

The gun used to kill Ashley and wound Heath was a .357 magnum. There was one round left in the cylinder.   Heath testified the rounds used were .38 special.  The .357 magnum can fire both .357 and .38 rounds. 

* Deputy Hunter Lewis testified after the playing of the 911 call.  He was the first law enforcement officer to arrive on the scene.  Smiley opened the door.  Lewis said he was very hysterical and fell to his knees outside the house.  The deputy found Ashley Smiley's body inside Carly's bedroom. 

Lewis activated his bodycam when he arrived on the scene.  (1:40:00). Deputy Lewis sat stoically as the events recorded on his bodycam were replayed in the courtroom.  

* JW, a 16 year old male NW Rankin High School student took his turn on the stand. Like Gregg, his mother is a teacher at the school.   JW said Ashley was very patient with her daughter and "They loved each other very much." "I never really saw her get in trouble.  She's a genius kid, and doesn't do much wrong at all. I think I saw her get in trouble once and it was shocking," testified JW. The lad testified Gregg got in trouble for cheating on a math test.  

JW saw Gregg the morning of March 19 in the school cafeteria.  She spilled a drink and "seemed high."  She got mad when he joked with her about the mishap.  The prosecutor asked JW how he knew Carly was using drugs.  JW replied Gregg "told me prior."  

JW said he "went to her mom" to tell her about Gregg's "drugs and a burner phone."  JW emailed Ashley about Carly so she would not know he told her mom.  

Carly texted JW at 4:21 PM on March 19, after she killed her mother.  "I need help, please," texted Carly.  JW rode his bike to the neighborhood and saw deputies at the house.  JW said Gregg never told him why she needed help nor did she tell him she killed her mother or shot her step-father.   

JW said he saw his friend use marijuana "once."  He said she was going down a "rabbit hole" but said he never knew her to be violent.  Apparently Gregg was using "weed pens."  

An understandably  hysterical Smiley stammered "She killed my wife."