The trial is set to begin two years after the disappearance (and suspected murder) of a University of Mississippi student – Magnolia State Live

More than two years after the disappearance of University of Mississippi student Jimmie “Jay” Lee, murder defendant Sheldon “Timothy” Herrington Jr. is on trial. Jury selection begins Monday, Dec. 2, in Lafayette County for the high-profile case, which is expected to last up to two weeks because jurors are in isolation.

Prosecutors accuse Herrington, 23, of murdering Lee, 20, on July 8, 2022, and dumping his body to hide their romantic relationship. Lee, a popular member of Oxford’s LGBTQ+ community, has not been seen since that day. Earlier this year, Lee’s parents declared him dead, but his body has not been found.

Herrington was arrested two weeks after Lee’s disappearance. Investigators presented evidence including surveillance footage of Herrington’s escape from his apartment complex where Lee’s car was abandoned, suspicious Internet searches and warnings from cadaver dogs about the smell of human remains in Herrington’s apartment and car. Herrington’s defense team disputes the credibility of the cadaver dog evidence and maintains his innocence.

Herrington was initially denied bail and later released with an ankle monitor after a lawsuit was filed against the Lafayette County Sheriff’s Department for false imprisonment.

The trial will delve into chilling details from previous hearings, including a Google search for “How long does it take to strangle someone?” and investigators’ reports of Herrington’s movements on the day Lee disappeared. State Representative Kevin Horan is now leading Herrington’s defense as the case unfolds under the watchful eyes of the Oxford community.