Two of the nine suspects charged in the connection with the murder of Newton’s Jamarcus Townsend received 20-year sentences within the last two weeks.
On Aug. 7, 19-year-old Jordan Myers was sentenced to an 20-year sentence after being convicted of conspiracy to commit murder.
Last month, Myers was tried in Neshoba County after he his first trial in Newton County was declared a mistrial. After 40 minutes of deliberation, a Neshoba County jury convicted Myers.
District Attorney Steven Kilgore said Myers will serve 18 years in prison and will be on probation for the final two years of his sentence.
Kilgore said the public defender representing Myers requested the change of venue several weeks ago. Kilgore did not object to the motion, and Collins granted the change of venue to Neshoba County Circuit Court last week.
The trial was conducted all day Thursday, and the defense rested on Friday morning. The jury returned the verdict by midday Friday after closing arguments were made and the jury received final instructions from Collins.
During a recess of an unrelated trial on Monday, Richard Lofton entered a guilty plea for the charge of conspiracy to commit murder. He received the same sentence as Myers, and Lofton will also be required to give “truth in testimony” in any trials related to the Townsend murder, Kilgore added.
Another suspect, Jessica Powers, 23, pleaded guilty to the charge of accessory to murder in the court of Circuit Judge Christopher Collins last month. She received a five-year prison sentence in exchange for “truth in testimony” in any trials related to the Townsend murder, according to District Attorney Steven Kilgore.
There are six other suspects awaiting trial in relation to the Townsend murder.
Lyndale Jones and Dontay Chapman are all charged with first degree murder.
Darron LaShuan Thames was also charged with conspiracy to commit murder and as an accessory to murder after the fact. Devon Thompson, Robert Shadon Bender and Ashton Thompson are all charged with being accessories to murder after the fact.
In other court cases:
• Anthony Gonzalez, 21, and Starmin D. Dixon, 20, both pleaded guilty to five counts of burglary of a dwelling. Both were sentenced to 25 years in prison.
• Philips E. Maxwell, 41, pleaded guilty to false pretense. He was sentenced to three years in prison.
• Terry L. Jim, 48, pleaded guilty to sexual battery. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison
• Joseph Ward was convicted of burglary on Monday. While he has not been sentenced, Kilgore said Ward was a habitual offender and will likely receive a 25-year prison sentence.
