Prentiss County Man Sentenced to 15 Years for “Heat of Passion” Manslaughter

[PRESS RELEASE]

BOONEVILLE, Miss – A Prentiss County man will serve fifteen years in prison after a jury found Nathaniel Marc Tyra guilty of heat of passion manslaughter Thursday afternoon in the Circuit Court of Prentiss County.  The conviction and sentencing concluded a three day jury trial.  District Attorney, John Weddle said “the verdict is a result of the hard work of the Baldwyn Police Department and Assistant District Attorneys Josh Wise and Kyle Robbins.  The Jury reached a just verdict and I’m happy the victim’s family can get some closure to what has to be a difficult time for them”
Tyra was accused of manslaughter for the death of Justin Shaw last year.  At trial, prosecutors for the State proved that Tyra intentionally struck Shaw with an automobile on July 5, 2014.  Tyra and Shaw had been in an altercation earlier that night, but Shaw left the area of the fight on foot.  Tyra then got into his mother’s vehicle and hit Justin Shaw on the grassy embankment behind Fred’s Super Dollar in Baldwyn.  The Baldwyn Police Department found Shaw, who was suffering from life threatening injuries, and he was transported to the North Mississippi Medical Center.  Shaw passed away at the North Mississippi Medical Center on July 17, 2014, from complications associated with those injuries.
The trial comes at a time when the District Attorney’s Office is transitioning from the resignation of Trent Kelly, newly elected to U.S. Congress, and the appointment of Interim District Attorney Weddle by Gov. Phil Bryant.  Weddle said he “is pleased his staff is dedicated to working through the transition without interruption or loss of efficiency.”
Investigator Bryon Parker was the lead investigator on the case and handled the case prior to it being turned over to the District Attorney’s Office.  Parker and several other Baldwyn police officers were key State witnesses in the trial.