Ashley Smylie : “Teen Accused of Killing Mother, Shooting Stepfather: $1M Bond Upheld”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Teen homicide case bond
2. Mother murder bond hearing

The Rankin County teenager accused of killing her mother and shooting her stepfather will remain behind bars under the same orders after requesting for her bond to be reduced. Judge David Morrow has kept the bond for 14-year-old Carly Madison Gregg at $1 million. The teen is charged as an adult with murder and attempted murder stemming from fatal events that took place on April 16. The deadly incident happened on Ashton Way in the Farmington Station subdivision of Brandon on March 19. Police responded to a report of shots fired just after 5 p.m. Stay updated with all of Mississippi’s latest news by signing up for our free newsletter here.

In a quiet corner of the Farmington Station subdivision in Brandon, a tragic event unfolded on March 19 that shook the community to its core. It was on Ashton Way that the lives of a family were forever changed, leading to a devastating loss and a young girl’s descent into unimaginable violence.

**The Incident**

Police were called to the scene just after 5 p.m. on that fateful day, responding to reports of shots fired. What they found upon arrival was a scene of horror and confusion. Heath Smylie, the stepfather, was discovered with a gunshot wound to his shoulder, barely able to point deputies to the lifeless body of his wife, Ashley Smylie, who had succumbed to a fatal gunshot wound.

**The Suspect**

Inside the home, holding a pistol, was 14-year-old Carly Madison Gregg, the stepdaughter of the victims. As chaos erupted, a physical struggle ensued between Heath Smylie and Gregg, culminating in him disarming her before she fled the scene by jumping over the backyard fence. It was a moment of sheer terror and disbelief for all involved.

**The Aftermath**

In the aftermath of the tragedy, authorities launched a massive search effort to locate Gregg, involving multiple agencies and even a helicopter from the Mississippi Highway Patrol. It was a tense and urgent situation as they closed in on the teenage suspect, eventually apprehending her without incident not far from the residence.

**The Chilling Details**

As the investigation unfolded, chilling details emerged about the events leading up to the fatal shooting. Gregg, it was revealed, had invited a friend over to the house after allegedly killing her mother. In a disturbing turn of events, she showed her friend the lifeless body of Ashley Smylie and the murder weapon, all before the stepfather’s arrival. The friend later disclosed to investigators that Gregg had planned to kill Heath Smylie, with premeditated intentions of aiming two shots at his head and one at his chest.

**The Legal Battle**

As the case moved through the legal system, a battle ensued over Gregg’s mental state and culpability in the crime. Her defense team argued that she suffered from mental disorders and had recently undergone a change in medication, leading to distressing auditory hallucinations while in custody. However, the prosecution maintained that mental illness did not justify the taking of a life and accused Gregg’s defense of refusing a state-provided mental evaluation.

**The Verdict**

In the end, Judge David Morrow made the difficult decision to keep Carly Madison Gregg behind bars under the same $1 million bond, citing her potential danger to society. It was a sobering reminder of the tragic consequences of violence and the complexities of justice in the face of mental health struggles.

As the community grapples with the aftermath of this shocking incident, one thing remains clear – the wounds inflicted that day will take time to heal, and the scars left behind will serve as a somber reminder of the fragility of life and the need for compassion in the face of tragedy.