RANKIN COUNTY, MS. – After a five-day trial, 15-year-old Carly Gregg of Brandon has been found guilty of murdering her mother, Ashley Smylie, and attempting to murder her step-father, Heath Smylie, on March 19, 2024. The jury also convicted her of tampering with evidence for hiding a kitchen camera in the refrigerator. Following approximately two hours of deliberation, she received two life sentences without parole, plus ten years.
The trial commenced on September 16, featuring opening statements from both the prosecution and defense, as well as a hearing of the 911 call made by Heath Smylie.
The prosecution argued that the incident stemmed from concerns about Carly’s marijuana use, citing a friend’s testimony that prompted Ashley Smylie to investigate.
Assistant District Attorney Kathryn Newman stated, “He was so worried about Carly’s use of marijuana and her burner phones that he felt compelled to tell Mrs. Ashley Smylie that day.”
In contrast, the defense claimed that Gregg suffers from mental illness, stating she heard voices due to her medication. Dr. Clark, a witness for the defense, testified that Carly experienced memory loss during the incident and that her medication switch from Zoloft to Lexapro a week before may have exacerbated her condition.
During the trial, the prosecution detailed the events leading to Ashley Smylie’s death and Heath Smylie’s injury. After returning home from school, Ashley searched Carly’s room for evidence of drug use and found vape pens. Carly then retrieved her mother’s .357 Magnum from their parents’ room.
Security camera footage played during the trial captured Carly moving with a hand behind her back, followed by the sounds of gunfire and screams. After the shots, she texted her step-father from her mother’s phone asking about his return.
A WLBT journalist reported that when Carly’s friend arrived, she asked, “Have you ever seen a dead body? My mom is in there.” Carly allegedly showed her Ashley’s body and instructed her to wait outside for her step-father.
As Heath Smylie entered the home, Carly fired three shots at him. Body camera footage revealed him saying, “I went in the back door, and she tried to shoot me.” He managed to disarm her before she fled but was arrested nearby about half a mile away.