In a case that has sent shockwaves through the LGBTQ+ community at the University of Mississippi, a trial date has been scheduled for Sheldon Timothy Herrington, accused of the murder of Jimmie “Jay” Lee, a popular gay student who went missing in July 2022.
Jimmie Lee’s mysterious disappearance from his student housing complex in Oxford left the community in fear and led to the formation of the group “Justice for Jay Lee” to raise awareness and demand accountability for his killer. Lee, an openly gay student, was well-known within the local LGBTQ+ community at Ole Miss.
Prosecutors allege that Sheldon Timothy Herrington, a fellow graduate of the University of Mississippi, strangled Lee to cover up their discreet sexual relationship, fearing its exposure. They claim to possess substantial evidence to secure a conviction even without locating Lee’s body. Among the evidence presented is Herrington’s purchase of duct tape and a large trash can, along with incriminating internet searches.
Snapchat messages revealed in court documents indicate that Herrington lured Lee with the promise of reciprocating oral sex, an issue of contention between them. Surveillance footage shows Lee visiting Herrington’s apartment shortly before his disappearance. Herrington’s erratic behavior, captured on camera, included jogging away from the scene and later disposing of a wheelbarrow and a shovel.
Despite Herrington’s denials of any knowledge regarding Lee’s whereabouts, cadaver-detecting K-9 dogs alerted multiple times in Herrington’s apartment, strengthening the prosecution’s case. The trial date for Sheldon Timothy Herrington has been set for October 15, 2024, with potential consequences ranging from life imprisonment to the death penalty if convicted.
In a legal climate where a body is no longer considered essential for securing convictions, the LGBTQ+ community and supporters eagerly await the trial’s outcome, seeking justice for Jimmie “Jay” Lee.
