Two men had bonds set at $1 million Monday morning after being charged in the weekend death of a Kokomo man.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Ronnie Smith, 37, and Jarvis Conerly, 26, both of Kokomo, and charged them with murder in the death of 44-year-old Billy May of Tylertown.
Chief Deputy Jamie Singley said Friday night officers received a call of a fight with a possible shooting in the area of Conerly Lane, which is near Kokomo Road about 3.5 miles north of U.S. 98.
“Deputies responded to the area and were unable to locate anything or anyone,” he said. “Deputies remained in the area attempting to find out information about the call when at approximately 11 p.m. the Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center received a call in regards to a suspicious vehicle parked at 56 Conerly Lane. When deputies arrived, they discovered May’s body. He was pronounced dead at the scene by AAA Ambulance Service, which was still in the area as well.”
Deputies, investigators and the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations Crime Scene Unit then processed the scene, according to Singley.
“Deputies went to make contact with Ronnie Smith in Kokomo, and when they approached him, he fled on foot,” he said. “A manhunt ensued throughout the night. Sunday morning, Ronnie Smith was taken into custody, transported to the Marion County Jail and charged with murder.”
Monday morning, both appeared in Marion County Justice Court before Judge Sharon Whitfield. Smith appeared first and questioned Whitfield as she read him his rights.
“You’re charged with murder,” she said. “That’s all I can tell you. All I’m doing is reading you your rights. I’m not going to question you.”
Smith said he had retained an attorney and asked to speak by phone before continuing the process. He was led back to Whitfield’s office and made a call, appearing before the judge about five minutes later.
“This is just to get your name and basic information,” Whitfield assured Smith. “I’m not going to question you. I’m just trying to explain the process to you and tell you what’s going on. We’re here to set your bond. You can your attorney again when you get back to the jail.”
Whitfield then concluded reading Smith his rights and he signed the court paperwork before Conerly appeared in front of the judge.
When asked if he knew what he was charged with, Conerly answered, “They charged me with murder.”
Whitfield set a Dec. 14 preliminary hearing and asked if Conerly had retained an attorney. He answered “No,” and Whitfield told him one would be appointed for him.
Whitfield set bond for both Smith and Conerly at $1 million, and they were escorted back to the Marion County Jail.
Singley said it was later determined that the initial crime happened at 27 Conerly Lane.
“The investigation is still ongoing by the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Mississippi Bureau of Investigations, Marion County Coroner Norma Williamson, and the 15th Judicial District Attorney’s Office,” he said.
Singley asked that anyone with information contact the Sheriff’s Office at (601) 737-5051.
Pictured Above: Ronnie Smith, left, and Jarvis Conerly are escorted back to the Marion County Jail following a court appearance. | Photo by Mark Rogers
