Teenager Sentenced to Life in Prison After Killing Her Mother and Luring a Friend to See the Body.

In a shocking and disturbing case, a teenage girl has been sentenced to life in prison without parole after fatally shooting her mother and inviting a friend to see the horrific scene. Carly Gregg, just 14 years old at the time, killed her mother, Ashley Smylie, and attempted to murder her stepfather in their Mississippi home. The case has gripped the public with its chilling details and tragic consequences.

A Chilling Invitation

The events leading up to the murder unfolded when Carly invited a friend over, claiming there was an “emergency.” When the friend arrived, Carly revealed the gruesome reality, telling them: “My mum is in there,” referring to the lifeless body of her 40-year-old mother. She then asked her friend the haunting question: “Have you ever seen a dead body?”

The cold and calculated nature of this interaction shocked everyone involved in the case, and it became a focal point during the trial. The chilling moment added a disturbing layer to the narrative of the crime, raising questions about Carly’s state of mind.

The Murder of Ashley Smylie

The murder itself took place on 19th March when Carly and her mother returned home from Northwest Rankin High School, where Smylie worked as a maths teacher. Armed with a .357 magnum revolver, Carly shot her mother in a back bedroom of their home.

Ashley Smylie

During the week-long trial, prosecutors argued that the killing was premeditated and fuelled by the discovery of Carly’s secret life, which involved drug use. Smylie had found vape pens filled with marijuana in Carly’s room just moments before the fatal shooting. Carly had also been using burner phones to hide her activities, which included cheating at school, drug use, and self-harm.

A Shocking Attack on Her Stepfather

After murdering her mother, Carly did not stop. She lured her stepfather, Heath Smylie, back home by sending him a text pretending to be her mother, asking: “When will you be home, honey?”

When Heath returned, Carly shot him in the shoulder. Despite being injured, he managed to overpower the teenager, and she was arrested shortly afterwards. Heath’s survival and his testimony became critical parts of the case, giving the jury a clearer picture of the day’s events.

The Defence’s Argument

Carly’s defence team argued that she was suffering from significant mental health issues at the time of the murder. They claimed that she had experienced a “state of psychosis” during an acute episode of stress, which led to her losing control of her actions.

The defence painted a picture of a troubled teenager who had become overwhelmed by the pressures of her secret life. They argued that Carly’s history of self-harm and her struggles with mental health were key factors in the tragic events that unfolded on that fateful day.

However, the harrowing video footage played in court undermined their argument. The video appeared to show Carly hiding something behind her back just moments before walking into the bedroom where she shot her mother. The sounds of three gunshots and Ashley Smylie’s screams could be heard on the footage, providing damning evidence against the teen.

The Jury’s Verdict

After four days of emotional testimony, the jury took just two hours to reach their verdict. Carly Gregg was found guilty of murdering her mother, attempting to murder her stepfather, and tampering with evidence. At just 15 years old, she was sentenced to spend the rest of her life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The case has left the community in shock, with many struggling to comprehend how such a young girl could commit such a brutal crime. It has also raised important questions about mental health, particularly among teenagers, and the devastating impact it can have on families.

CCTV footage from inside the home

A Deadly Secret Exposed

Prosecutors revealed that the murder was triggered by the discovery of Carly’s secret life. On the day of the shooting, Carly’s friend had confided in her mother, worried about Carly’s drug use and her possession of burner phones. Ashley Smylie, upon hearing this, searched her daughter’s room and found the incriminating vape pens just moments before she was killed.

The prosecution argued that Carly, in a moment of rage and fear of being exposed, acted violently towards her mother, culminating in the fatal shooting. Rankin County Assistant District Attorney Kathryn Newman highlighted this during the trial, explaining that the friend’s concern about Carly’s behaviour led to the tragic confrontation.