Gray Sentenced for Role in Home Invasion Robbery

[PRESS RELEASE]

WEST POINT, Miss.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date of Release: April, 3, 2017
Vernard V. Gray Pleads Guilty to Clay Count Home Invasion
Clay County, MS – Today, Vernard V. Gray was sentenced by Judge Lee. J. Howard to a term of thirty-two (32) years in prison for the July 14, 2014 home invasion of Lynwood and Amelia Prescott. Mr. Gray plead guilty to the aggravated assault and armed robbery of Lynwood Prescott and was sentenced to twenty (20) for the aggravated assault and twelve (12) years for the armed robbery, with the sentences to be run consecutively.
Mr. Gray and his brother, Depriest Gray, were indicted for breaking into the home of Lynwood and Amelia Prescott on June 14, 2014, and for then assaulting and robbing Mr. Prescott with a knife. Both were also indicted for holding Amelia Prescott against her will during the robbery. The home invasion ended when Mrs. Prescott fled the home and was able to contact the police. In October of 2016, Depriest Gray was sentenced to twenty-five (25) years as a habitual offender for his involvement in the home invasion.
“The home invasion of the Prescott residence was a cowardly violation of the right every citizen has to feel safe in their home. I hope this sentence gives the Prescott family closure for this terrible crime,” said District Attorney Scott Colom. Mr. Colom went on to say, “This conviction is the result of the great work of Assistant Prosecutor Marc Amos, the Clay County Sheriff’s Office and the West Point Police Department. Their hard work sent a signal that our office and local law enforcement agencies will not tolerate violent crimes that strike at the heart of the safety of our communities.”
Scott Colom was sworn in as District Attorney in January of 2016 for the Sixteenth Circuit Court District, which includes Lowndes, Oktibbeha, Clay and Noxubee counties. For more information regarding the District Attorney’s office, please visit www.msda16.org. You can also find us on Facebook at Scott Colom, District Attorney, MS.