Carly Gregg murder conviction appeal

Developing StoryLast updated APR 27
SUMMARY

Carly Gregg's defense team is appealing her murder conviction to the Mississippi Supreme Court, with oral arguments scheduled for May 27, 2026, in Mississippi, arguing that the trial was unfair due to excluded witnesses, restricted testimony, and improper jury instructions regarding juvenile parole. As of April 27, 2026, the defense contends that the life sentence for attempted murder is unconstitutional for a juvenile and that the prosecution made prejudicial comments. The appeal also cites alleged violations of her Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights due to compelled psychiatric examinations before the insanity defense was presented, prosecutorial misconduct, and errors in jury instructions and sentencing. Gregg, who was 14 at the time of the offense, was convicted after rejecting a plea deal for the murder of her mother and the shooting of her stepfather. A judge denied Gregg's motion for a new trial in October 2024, and a motion challenging a mental evaluation order was denied in May 2025.

Timeline

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April 2026 — 3 developments

  1. Carly Gregg's defense team is arguing in her appeal to the Mississippi Supreme Court that the trial …

    Carly Gregg's defense team is arguing in her appeal to the Mississippi Supreme Court that the trial was unfair due to excluded witnesses, restricted testimony, and improper jury instructions regarding juvenile parole. They also contend that the life sentence for attempted murder is unconstitutional for a juvenile and that the prosecution made prejudicial comments.

  2. Carly Gregg's defense team is appealing her murder conviction, citing alleged violations of her Fift…

    Carly Gregg's defense team is appealing her murder conviction, citing alleged violations of her Fifth and Sixth Amendment rights due to compelled psychiatric examinations before the insanity defense was presented. The appeal also highlights claims of prosecutorial misconduct, errors in jury instructions and sentencing, and the denial of continuances, arguing these issues warrant a new trial or sentencing.

  3. The Mississippi Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on May 27, 2026, for Carly Gregg's appeal of her murder conviction.

    The Mississippi Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on May 27, 2026, for Carly Gregg's appeal of her murder conviction. Gregg's defense team argues that the jury received improper instructions regarding her insanity defense and that the trial's accelerated pace violated her due process rights.

February 2026 — 1 developments

  1. Carly Gregg's attorneys and the Carly's Warriors Foundation have filed a reply brief in the Mississi…

    Carly Gregg's attorneys and the Carly's Warriors Foundation have filed a reply brief in the Mississippi Supreme Court, continuing her appeal against her conviction and life-without-parole sentence for the murder of her mother and the shooting of her stepfather. Gregg, who was 14 at the time of the offense, rejected a plea deal and was convicted after a trial.

September 2025 — 3 developments

  1. Attorneys for Carly Gregg are appealing her conviction to the Mississippi Supreme Court, arguing tha…

    Attorneys for Carly Gregg are appealing her conviction to the Mississippi Supreme Court, arguing that the trial court's insanity instruction improperly heightened the burden of proof. This follows previous denials of motions for a new trial and other procedural steps in her ongoing appeal.

  2. A motion filed in the appeal of Carly Gregg, who is serving a life sentence for murdering her mother and injuring her stepfather, has been denied.

    A motion filed in the appeal of Carly Gregg, who is serving a life sentence for murdering her mother and injuring her stepfather, has been denied. This motion challenged a circuit court order that granted the state's request for a mental evaluation. The denial represents a new procedural step in her ongoing appeal to the Mississippi Supreme Court.

  3. A judge denied Carly Gregg's motion for a new trial in October 2024, and a motion challenging a mental evaluation order was denied in May 2025.

    A judge denied Carly Gregg's motion for a new trial in October 2024, and a motion challenging a mental evaluation order was denied in May 2025. Subsequently, the Mississippi Court of Appeals denied her prior appeal, leading her legal team to appeal to the Mississippi Supreme Court based on claims of improper jury instructions regarding parole for a juvenile.

July 2025 — 1 developments

  1. Attorney James Murphy requested a 30-day extension for preparing the appeal brief, citing alleged misconduct by Gregg's previous attorney.

    Attorney James Murphy requested a 30-day extension for preparing the appeal brief, citing alleged misconduct by Gregg's previous attorney.

March 2025 — 1 developments

  1. Carly Gregg obtained new legal counsel, James Murphy, to represent her in the appeal before the Mississippi Supreme Court.

    Carly Gregg obtained new legal counsel, James Murphy, to represent her in the appeal before the Mississippi Supreme Court.

October 2024 — 2 developments

  1. A judge denied Carly Gregg's motion for a new trial, ruling that the defense could have discovered the new evidence with reasonable diligence.

    A judge denied Carly Gregg's motion for a new trial, ruling that the defense could have discovered the new evidence with reasonable diligence. This decision comes as her appeal continues before the Mississippi Supreme Court. The judge stated that "trial by ambush must remain in the grave."

  2. The Assistant District Attorney for the State of Mississippi responded to Carly Gregg's appeal.

    The Assistant District Attorney for the State of Mississippi responded to Carly Gregg's appeal.

September 2024 — 2 developments

  2. Carly Gregg's five-day trial began in Rankin County, with opening statements and testimony.

    Carly Gregg's five-day trial began in Rankin County, with opening statements and testimony.

August 2024 — 1 developments

  1. A hearing was held to determine Carly Gregg's competency to stand trial and assess her mental health.

    A hearing was held to determine Carly Gregg's competency to stand trial and assess her mental health.