Tupelo man pleads guilty to three manslaughter charges

Jaylen Wells, 22, pleaded guilty to three manslaughter charges in the killings of Norahs Coleman, Jessica Pannell and Robben Wilson, according to a Tupelo Police Department announcement. Circuit Court Judge Kelly Mims sentenced Wells to 31 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections, with an additional 29 years suspended.

The victims were killed July 24, 2021, while attending a social gathering on Maynard Drive in Tupelo. Wells was later apprehended by the Tupelo Police Department in Albany, New York.

Wells was scheduled to go to trial Oct. 26 in Lee County Circuit Court. The plea agreement was approved by law enforcement and the victims’ families.

Wells was the fourth defendant to plead guilty in the case. Taquon Garth received a 60-year sentence for three manslaughter charges. Javion Clifton received 20 years, with 40 years suspended, for three manslaughter charges, while Shamar Carroll received 15 years, with five years suspended, for accessory after the fact to capital murder.

The Tupelo Police Department investigation was led by Detective Tyler Cook.

Source: Tupelo Police Department on Facebook.