Suspect in Ole Miss Student Murder Seeks Venue Change Ahead of Retrial

Sheldon Timothy Herrington Jr., accused of the capital murder of University of Mississippi student Jimmie "Jay" Lee, has filed a motion requesting a change of venue for his retrial, citing extensive local media coverage and social media posts that he claims have prejudiced the potential jury pool. Herrington, who was initially tried in December 2024 with the trial ending in a mistrial due to a hung jury, faces a retrial scheduled for October 13, 2025, in Lafayette County. Lee, a 20-year-old member of the Oxford LGBTQ+ community, had been missing since July 2022, and his remains were discovered in February 2025, which led to a new indictment against Herrington. Prosecutors have stated they will not seek the death penalty if Herrington is convicted. The case has deeply affected the community, with Lee's family and law enforcement forging close bonds during the investigation, and his funeral was held with significant community and police presence. Herrington is currently held without bail, and his defense contends that the local publicity has made it impossible to ensure a fair trial in Lafayette County.