On March 19, 2024, the quiet suburban life of Brandon, Mississippi, was shattered by a shocking crime: a 14-year-old girl, Carly Madison Gregg, used a handgun to kill her mother, Ashley Smylie, and then attempted to kill her stepfather, Heath Smylie. The case has since sparked intense debate over youth, mental health, criminal responsibility, and the U.S. justice system. In September 2024, a jury found Gregg guilty on multiple counts and sentenced her to two life sentences without parole plus ten years.
In the months following, Gregg’s defense team filed appeals and motions raising issues about jury instructions, evidence, and the legitimacy of trying a young teenager as an adult. Meanwhile, advocacy groups rallied support under the banner “Justice for Carly Gregg”, arguing that her youth, mental health history, and developmental immaturity ought to mitigate her culpability.
This article explores the background, crime, trial, controversies, and ongoing legal battles — presenting a full picture of a case that sits at the crossroads of law, psychology, and social justice.
Background and Family Context
Ashley Smylie was a 40-year-old high school math teacher at Northwest Rankin High School. She was known as dedicated and kind, and had two daughters. Carly, her eldest, was born in 2009. Heath Smylie, Ashley’s husband and Carly’s stepfather, worked as a physical therapist near their home.
Gregg’s life, by many accounts, was not free from turmoil. Reports indicated she had a history of emotional difficulties, including self-harm, mood swings, and auditory hallucinations. She was prescribed medication for depression or mood instability, and defense experts later claimed that changes in her medication might have triggered a “psychotic break” or dissociative episode.
According to the prosecution, Ashley had recently discovered troubling information about Carly — including secret social media use, burner phones, and substance use. These discoveries allegedly led to a confrontation on the day of the shooting. The household, once described as quiet and normal, had become a place of mounting tension and emotional distance between mother and daughter.
The Crime: What Happened on March 19, 2024
That afternoon, surveillance cameras inside the home captured crucial evidence. Prosecutors later used the footage to reconstruct the sequence of events that led to Ashley Smylie’s death.
- Carly retrieved her mother’s .357 Magnum handgun, allegedly kept under the mattress, and concealed it behind her back.
- She entered her mother’s bedroom, and moments later, three gunshots were heard. Ashley Smylie was struck and died from a head wound.
- Carly then used her mother’s phone to text Heath Smylie, asking when he would be home.
- She also texted a friend, claiming there was an emergency. When the friend arrived, Carly reportedly asked, “Have you ever seen a dead body?” before showing her mother’s remains.
- When Heath arrived home, Carly shot him in the shoulder. He survived, managed to wrestle the gun away, and called 911.
- Carly briefly fled the home before being taken into custody nearby.
Prosecutors described her demeanor in the surveillance footage as disturbingly calm, even methodical — sending texts and moving around the house with apparent composure. To the state, this indicated premeditation. To her defenders, it was a sign of emotional dissociation and trauma.
The Trial: Prosecution vs. Defense
The trial began on September 16, 2024, in Rankin County, Mississippi. Over several days, prosecutors and defense attorneys presented starkly different narratives of what happened — and why.
The Prosecution’s Case
The state argued that Carly knew right from wrong and planned the attack deliberately. Prosecutors pointed to several key elements:
- She retrieved and concealed the gun.
- She texted her stepfather to lure him home.
- She attempted to stage the aftermath by cleaning evidence and using her mother’s phone.
- Her behavior after the shooting was calm, not panicked or confused.
The prosecution’s psychiatric expert, Dr. Jason Pickett, testified that although Carly may have suffered from emotional instability, she did not meet the legal threshold for insanity. He said her actions showed clear understanding and purpose.
The state also noted that Carly had been offered a plea deal of 40 years in prison, which she declined — instead choosing to risk trial and, ultimately, a life sentence.
The Defense’s Case
Carly’s attorneys centered their defense on mental health. They argued that she had been in a psychotic or dissociative episode triggered by medication changes and long-term emotional trauma. Their expert witness, Dr. Andrew Clark, said Carly experienced auditory hallucinations and periods of amnesia surrounding the event.
They invoked the insanity defense, asserting that Carly could not understand the nature or wrongfulness of her acts at the time. They highlighted her age, psychiatric symptoms, and evidence of emotional neglect.
The defense also accused the prosecution of “trial by ambush”, claiming they were denied timely access to certain evidence and witnesses. Some testimony about Carly’s therapy and her relationship with her biological father was excluded, which the defense later cited as grounds for appeal.
Despite these efforts, the jury was unconvinced. After only a few hours of deliberation, they found Carly guilty on all counts.
Verdict and Sentencing
The jury convicted Carly of first-degree murder, attempted murder, and tampering with evidence. The judge imposed the maximum sentence: two life terms without the possibility of parole plus ten years.
Prosecutors described the verdict as “justice served,” emphasizing the cruelty and planning behind the act. They argued that Carly’s age should not absolve her of the gravity of what she had done.
During sentencing, Carly broke down in tears. Her stepfather, despite being one of the victims, told the court that he still loved her and hoped she could someday find peace. The moment was one of the few glimpses of compassion in an otherwise polarizing courtroom.
Appeal and Post-Trial Motions
After the verdict, Carly’s defense team immediately filed motions seeking a new trial, citing new evidence and alleged procedural errors. They claimed that interviews with her biological father revealed untreated hallucinations and equine therapy records that had been excluded.
The judge denied the motion, stating that the evidence could have been presented earlier and that the trial had been conducted fairly. In his written decision, he declared that “trial by ambush must remain in the grave,” rejecting the defense’s accusations of withheld discovery.
The defense then filed an appeal with the Mississippi Supreme Court, arguing several points:
- That the jury instructions on insanity and self-defense were flawed.
- That the exclusion of certain witnesses deprived Carly of a fair trial.
- That life without parole for a 14-year-old constitutes cruel and unusual punishment.
The appeal remains ongoing, with hearings expected to continue into 2025 and beyond.
Public Reaction and Media Coverage
The Carly Gregg case quickly became a focal point of national media attention. News outlets highlighted the paradox of youth and violence: How could a 14-year-old commit such an act of brutality? Was she a monster, or a victim of mental illness?
Crime shows, podcasts, and blog commentaries dissected every detail — from the surveillance footage to courtroom outbursts. Social media amplified the divide between those who demanded harsh justice and those calling for empathy and reform.
Advocacy pages under the name “Justice for Carly Gregg” gained thousands of followers, with supporters posting letters, artwork, and messages of hope. They argue that Carly’s life should not be defined by one tragic moment and that she deserves rehabilitation, not lifelong incarceration.
Critics of this movement counter that focusing on empathy for perpetrators risks minimizing the suffering of victims — in this case, a mother who lost her life and a husband who barely survived.
Broader Issues Raised by the Case
The Gregg case forces difficult conversations about the intersection of mental health, adolescence, and the justice system.
1. Trying Minors as Adults
Should a 14-year-old be treated the same as a 40-year-old in court? Juvenile brain development research shows that teenagers lack full impulse control and foresight, which has led the Supreme Court to restrict certain punishments for minors. Yet, state prosecutors often argue that extreme crimes require adult accountability. Carly’s case falls squarely into this gray area.
2. The Limits of the Insanity Defense
The insanity defense is rarely successful in U.S. courts. In Mississippi, defendants must prove they could not distinguish right from wrong at the time of the crime — a nearly impossible standard when any evidence of planning exists. Carly’s texts and concealment of the weapon made it difficult for jurors to believe she was fully detached from reality.
3. Medication, Mental Illness, and Responsibility
Carly’s defense leaned heavily on the claim that her antidepressant medication had destabilized her mental state. This raises broader concerns about adolescent psychiatric care, medication monitoring, and the potential for side effects that influence judgment.
4. Plea Bargaining and Youth Decision-Making
Many experts argue that minors lack the cognitive maturity to weigh plea offers effectively. By rejecting a 40-year plea deal, Carly essentially traded a potential release in midlife for a life sentence. Whether this was her decision or a reflection of inadequate legal counseling remains part of the debate.
5. Juvenile Life Sentences and the Constitution
Since landmark Supreme Court cases like Miller v. Alabama and Roper v. Simmons, mandatory life without parole for juveniles has been widely challenged. Advocates believe Carly’s appeal could become part of a growing movement to reassess such sentences under the Eighth Amendment’s prohibition on cruel and unusual punishment.
The Ongoing Fight for Justice
As of 2025, Carly remains incarcerated while her appeal winds its way through the courts. Her supporters continue to campaign for a reduced sentence, arguing that she is a product of mental illness and systemic failure. Opponents insist that her crime was too severe to warrant leniency.
What cannot be denied is that the Carly Gregg case has become a symbol of the tension between accountability and empathy, punishment and rehabilitation, justice and mercy. It has forced society to confront hard questions about whether a child who commits an unthinkable act should be condemned for life — or given a second chance to change.
Conclusion
The tragedy of Carly Gregg defies easy answers. A mother lost her life, a family was torn apart, and a young girl will likely spend the rest of her years behind bars. Yet beyond the courtroom verdict lies a deeper human story — one of mental anguish, generational trauma, and a justice system still struggling to balance compassion with responsibility.
Whatever the final outcome of her appeal, this case will continue to shape discussions about how America treats its youngest offenders and how society defines justice in the face of tragedy.
This article was written and published for Newsta — bringing insight, depth, and balance to today’s most complex stories.
1. Who is Carly Gregg?
Carly Madison Gregg is a Mississippi teenager who, at 14 years old, was convicted of killing her mother, Ashley Smylie, and attempting to kill her stepfather, Heath Smylie, in March 2024. She was sentenced to two life terms without parole plus ten years.
2. What happened in the Carly Gregg case?
On March 19, 2024, Carly Gregg shot her mother inside their Brandon, Mississippi home and later shot her stepfather when he returned. Prosecutors said the crime was premeditated, while her defense argued she suffered from a severe mental-health episode
3. How old was Carly Gregg when the crime occurred?
Carly was 14 years old at the time of the crime, making her one of the youngest individuals in Mississippi history to receive a life sentence without parole.
4. What was the motive behind the killing?
The prosecution suggested the motive stemmed from a family confrontation over Carly’s behavior and phone use. The defense claimed Carly’s actions resulted from a mental breakdown and the effects of medication changes, not a deliberate motive.
5. What was Carly Gregg’s sentence?
In September 2024, she was sentenced to two consecutive life sentences without parole, plus ten additional years for evidence tampering.
6. Did Carly Gregg plead guilty?
No. Carly rejected a plea deal that would have given her 40 years in prison and instead went to trial, maintaining her plea of not guilty by reason of insanity.
7. What is the status of her appeal?
As of 2025, her legal team has filed an appeal with the Mississippi Supreme Court, arguing errors in jury instructions, evidence handling, and the constitutionality of sentencing a 14-year-old to life without parole.
8. What is the “Justice for Carly Gregg” movement?
It’s an advocacy effort led by supporters who believe Carly’s sentence is too harsh. They argue that her mental illness, age, and emotional trauma should have been more strongly considered during sentencing.
9. Was there any video evidence in the case?
Yes. Surveillance cameras inside the home captured parts of the incident, showing Carly before and after the shooting. The footage was a key piece of evidence for prosecutors.
10. Why is the case controversial?
The controversy centers on whether Carly should have been tried as an adult, the use of the insanity defense for minors, and broader questions about justice, rehabilitation, and mental health in juvenile crime.
11. Will Carly Gregg ever be eligible for parole?
Under her current sentence, Carly is not eligible for parole. However, her appeal could lead to a resentencing if higher courts rule her punishment unconstitutional.
12. What can society learn from the Carly Gregg case?
The case highlights the urgent need for stronger youth mental-health support, better medication oversight, and ongoing debate over how the justice system should handle crimes committed by juveniles.
