A Walthall County man is being held on $1 million bond in connection with the death of a woman last week that took place near the Marion- Walthall county line.
J.C. James Jr. was arrested by the Walthall County Sheriff’s Office and charged late last week with the murder of Lejiil Lewis of Sandy Hook, according to Sheriff Kyle Breland.
Around 6:30 a.m. on Feb. 7, authorities responded to a 911 call reporting a shooting at 5 N. Patten Road off Mississippi 48. AAA Ambulance Service and deputies were dispatched and Lewis was transported to Walthall General Hospital where she was pronounced dead.
“We need anyone who had contact with J.C. James Jr. Tuesday evening or Wednesday or anyone who has information regarding this case to contact our office immediately,” Breland said.
Breland said Lewis’ body was sent to the Mississippi Medical Examiner’s Office in Jackson for an autopsy by Coroner Shannon Hartzong and physical evidence submitted to the Mississippi Forensic Laboratory to be analyzed.
“We are unable to release any further details of the incident at this time, as it is an ongoing investigation,” Breland said. “We appreciate the joint efforts of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, Tylertown Police Department, Coroner Shannon Hartzog, and the District Attorney’s Office with our dispatchers, deputies and investigators, in providing a safe and effective response to the incident and investigation.”
Anyone with information about the incident or any other crime is asked to contact the Walthall County Sheriff’s Office at (601) 876-3481 or Walthall County Crime Stoppers at (601) 467-1878.
Bond was set late last week in Walthall County Justice Court by Judge Ryan Bruhl. James remained in the Walthall County Jail as of deadline Tuesday.
Pictured Above: J.C. James Jr. was arrested by the Walthall County Sheriff’s Office and charged late last week with the murder of Lejiil Lewis of Sandy Hook. | Photo Submitted
