Carly Gregg Gets Life in Prison After Conviction for Murdering Mom, Then Inviting Friend Over to See Body

Mar. 15, 2025

Ashley Smylie, left, Carly Gregg.Photo:Northwest Rankin High School; Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

Northwest Rankin High School; Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

Carly Gregg, the teenager who fatally shot her mother and attempted to kill her stepfather, has been sentenced to life in prison, according to multiple news reports.

The sentence was handed down to the 15-year-old on Friday, Sept. 20, after jurors in Rankin County, Miss., found her guilty on all counts including first-degree murder, attempted murder and tampering with evidence, according toThe Clarion-Ledger,WAPT, andWLBT. Gregg was visibly emotional when the verdict was read, WAPT reported.

While Gregg’s defense team did not deny she killed her mother, the attorneys contended that the teenager was experiencing a mental health crisis on the day of the killing and didn’t remember the shooting.

Dr. Andrew Clark, a child psychologist, testified on Tuesday, Sept. 17, that on the day of the shooting, Gregg was “grumpy and irritable” and couldn’t focus in class at Northwest Rankin High School, where her mother was a math teacher, according toThe Clarion-Ledger. Clark also said the teenager claimed her memory “went blank” that day after letting her dog out in the backyard.

Clark further testified that Gregg dealt with symptoms of depression and was previously prescribed medication that made her feel numb,The Clarion-Ledgerreported. Clark also testified that Gregg heard voices, which were “getting worse” prior to the shooting and that she had a history of self-harm.

Carly Gregg.Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

Barbara Gauntt/Clarion Ledger / USA TODAY NETWORK

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’sfree True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

During closing arguments earlier this week, State Attorney Michael Smith told the jury she was aware of her actions at the time of the shooting, per WAPT.

“We would ask that you go back there and find her guilty of all three because she was not insane at the time that this happened,” Smith said, per the outlet. “She knew exactly what she was doing, and she knew the difference between right and wrong.”

source: people.com