Murder suspect of Ole Miss student is heading to retrial—here’s what we know so far

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - The former Ole Miss student charged in the murder of another student is headed back to court this week for a retrial.

Timothy Herrington Jr. is being retried for capital murder tied to the disappearance of fellow student Jimmie “Jay” Lee.

The case has gripped Oxford for more than three years, centered on a missing college student and the long search for answers.

Timeline of the case

Jimmie Jay Lee was 20 years old and a familiar face on the Ole Miss campus when he disappeared on July 8, 2022. Friends reported him missing, and concern spread quickly.

Two weeks later, investigators focused on another student, Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr. He was arrested on July 22 for capital murder. A judge later ruled he was a flight risk in August, keeping him in jail without bond.

By March 2023, a grand jury indicted Herrington. Prosecutors said Lee was kidnapped and killed, even though no body had been found. A special grand jury also met to review more evidence from the morning Lee vanished.

First trial ends in mistrial

The first trial began last December. Prosecutors showed security video of Lee leaving his apartment and argued Herrington lured Lee to his home, trying to hide their relationship. Witnesses took the stand, and digital data became a key part of the case.

After nine hours of deliberations, the jury couldn’t reach a unanimous verdict. The main reason was that no body had been found.

On Dec. 11, the judge declared a mistrial, and prosecutors quickly announced they would try the case again.

Remains discovered

In early February 2025, the investigation took a turn when human remains were found in rural Carroll County. DNA confirmed they belonged to Jay Lee.

Days later, on Feb. 9, a grand jury issued a new two-count indictment against Herrington for capital murder and evidence tampering connected to Lee’s confirmed death.

On March 7, a judge dismissed the tampering charge involving the remains, ruling the statute of limitations had expired.

Last month, the medical examiner said Lee’s cause and manner of death couldn’t be determined because of the condition of the remains.

As the case moves back toward trial, Jay Lee’s family and the Oxford community are still waiting for final answers and justice years in the making.

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