One of the suspects in a weekend homicide in Kokomo has had his charges downgraded.
Capt. Pete Williams of the Marion County Sheriff’s Office said Thursday afternoon that Jarvis Conerly, 26, was now being charged as an accessory after the fact in the weekend death of 44-year-old Billy May of Tylertown. Conerly was initially charged with murder.
“Based on further investigation, Conerly’s charges were updated,” Williams said.
Authorities have charged Ronnie Smith, 37, of Kokomo with murder. Smith is being held in the Marion County Jail on $1 million bond.
Chief Deputy Jamie Singley said that officers responded to 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. After initially being unable to locate anyone, they received a call at about 11 p.m. about a suspicious vehicle parked at 56 Conerly Lane and discovered May’s body.
Smith fled the scene and was captured Sunday morning in Walthall County.
The investigation remains 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.
Williams asked that anyone with information contact the Sheriff’s Office at (601) 736-2711.
