Prentiss County Trio Charged with Capital Murder

December 19, 2012

Mississippi Bureau of Investigation

News Release

Agents from the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation have charged three Prentiss men with capital murder following a weekend homicide in Jefferson Davis County.

Shortly after midnight Saturday, December 15th, MBI agents were contacted by officials of the Jefferson Davis County Sheriff’s Department regarding an incident at the Briarwood Apartments just outside Prentiss. When agents arrived on the scene, they found the body of 43-year-old Jacqueline “Jackie” Berry.

The investigation developed three suspects. James McLaurin, 27, turned himself in to authorities Saturday night and 29-year-old Demetrius Adrian Speights turned himself in to law enforcement officials Sunday. McLaurin and Speights are being held in undisclosed jails without bond.

The investigation led agents to Guntown in Lee County in north Mississippi where, with the assistance of the United States Marshal’s Service, 24-year-old Eddie Harris was arrested. Harris is awaiting his initial court appearance at which time a judge will consider whether to grant Harris bond.

“Our investigators quickly developed leads in the case,” MBI Director Lt. Col. Larry Waggoner said. “With the help of other law enforcement agencies and investigative tools and techniques, we were able to get these dangerous individuals off the street.”

MBI’s Crime Scene Unit submitted evidence from the Jefferson Davis County apartment to the State Crime Lab as the investigation continues.