Man charged with capital murder a second time after missing college student's remains were found

OXFORD, Miss. (TCN) -- A 22-year-old man turned himself in to police this week after a missing college student's remains were found and positively identified over two years after he went missing.

The Oxford Police Department announced Feb. 11 that Timothy Herrington Jr. was taken into custody for tampering with evidence, which was added to a charge of capital murder in connection with the death of Jimmie "Jay" Lee. Lee's remains were located in Carroll County on Feb. 1, then positively identified on Feb. 5.

Lee went missing July 8, 2022, after leaving the University of Mississippi campus. About two weeks later, on July 22, 2022, Oxford Police Department detectives arrested Herrington on suspicion of murder. The Mississippi Clarion Ledger reports Lee and Herrington had a sexual relationship, and Herrington allegedly killed Lee in order to keep it secret.

Herrington went to trial in December 2024, but the jury failed to reach a verdict, which resulted in a mistrial. Herrington appeared in court Tuesday, Feb. 11, and pleaded not guilty to the charges. The Lafayette County District Attorney's Office will decide at a later date if they will pursue the death penalty against Herrington.

Oxford Police Chief Jeff McCutchen said, "We will continue to work tirelessly on this case to see it to the end."

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