Two men have been charged in the weekend murder of a Kokomo man.
Marion County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested Ronnie Smith, 37, of Kokomo and Jarvis Conerly, 26, of Kokomo on the murder of 44-year-old Billy May of Tylertown.
Chief Deputy Jamie Singley said officers received a call of a fight with a possible shooting in the area of Conerly Lane in the Kokomo community.
“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 the 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.
“Through the course of the investigation, Conerly and Smith were arrested and charged with murder,” he said. Deputies went to make contact with Ronnie Smith in the Kokomo community and when they approached him, he fled on foot. A manhunt ensued throughout the night. Sunday morning, Ronnie Smith was taken into custody, transported to the Marion County Jail and charged with murder.”
Singley said it was later determined that the initial crime was determined to have occurred 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. Bonds are expected to be set later today when Conerly and Smith make appearances in Marion County Justice Court.
