Tragic Death, Long Road to Justice
A former student of the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) has been sentenced to 40 years behind bars after admitting guilt in the killing of his peer, Jimmie “Jay” Lee. The culprit, Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr., 25, accepted a plea deal on charges of second-degree murder and tampering with evidence — significantly reducing his original capital murder charge. Under the sentence, Herrington will spend decades in prison, followed by a period of supervision after release.
Lee, a 20-year-old graduate student and an active member of the LGBTQ+ community, vanished from Oxford in July 2022. For more than two years, his fate remained unknown until deer hunters discovered his skeletal remains in early 2025. The discovery came after a hung jury resulted in a mistrial in Herrington’s first trial last year.
Why the Court Reduced the Charge — and Imposed a Long Sentence
- Prosecutors agreed to lower the charge from capital murder to second-degree murder as part of the plea agreement. Herrington was given a 40-year sentence: 30 years for the murder, plus 10 years for evidence tampering. Included in the judgment was a 10-year suspension and a post-release supervision period of a decade.
- The sentence reflects both the gravity of the crime and the extensive investigation — including digital evidence, surveillance footage, and the discovery of Lee’s remains. Authorities say Herrington searched online for “how long does it take to strangle someone” just before Lee’s disappearance, and video captured him near Lee’s abandoned car and later retrieving tools from his parents’ home.
Impact on Community and Legacy of the Victim
Lee was known in Oxford for his vibrant personality — interested in fashion, makeup, and drag performance. His disappearance and murder deeply shook the university community and supporters across Mississippi. A grassroots campaign under the banner “Justice for Jay Lee” rallied students, friends, and advocates demanding accountability.
At the sentencing hearing, Lee’s father delivered an emotional plea to the court, describing the pain of losing his son and the unbearable grief of identifying his remains. Witnesses — including friends, university officials, and classmates — attended in solidarity, making clear how much Lee meant to many.
With this sentence, the court has provided a measure of closure to a case that raised serious concerns over trust, identity, and justice. While nothing can undo the loss, many say the verdict sends a powerful message against violence and hate.
