Mississippi teen Carly Gregg is accused of murdering her mother, high school teacher Ashley Smylie, inside their Brandon home on March 19. The incident was caught on surveillance footage, showing Gregg awkwardly shuffling around the house with a .357 Magnum handgun, before she allegedly shot her mother. The footage also captured Gregg trying to lure her stepfather back to the home before shooting him in the shoulder. The mom and daughter duo had just returned home from school when the incident occurred, with Ashley Smylie discovering vape pens in Gregg’s room, which led to an argument.
Prosecutors allege that the teen shot her mother because a friend had informed the mom of Gregg’s “secret life” involving drugs. Gregg sent a text message to a friend claiming there was an “emergency” and later revealed that her mother was inside the home dead. Psychiatrist Dr. Andrew Clark testified that Gregg was facing a mental health crisis on the day of the incident, experiencing significant mood swings and hearing voices. The teen had no recollection of the shooting, according to testimony from Clark and Heath Smylie, Carly’s stepfather.
Heath Smylie, who was shot in the shoulder by Gregg before wrestling the gun away from her, testified that she did not appear to recognize him during the incident. He stated that he and Gregg still have a good relationship and talk daily. Gregg has been charged with murder, attempted murder, and tampering with evidence. She has turned down a plea deal and faces up to life in prison if found guilty of the charges. The courtroom was shown bodycam footage of the aftermath of the incident, with Heath Smylie crying and revealing that his wife was dead inside the home.
Carly Gregg’s trial highlighted her mental health issues, with Clark stating that she was having dissociative problems and significant mood swings, exacerbated by her medications. The teen reportedly cared deeply about her mother’s approval, and the discovery of her drug use caused a crisis. The surveillance footage captured the moments leading up to the shooting, showing Gregg hiding the handgun behind her back as she walked around the house. The incident has shocked the community, with friends and family struggling to comprehend how a seemingly normal teenager could commit such a violent act.
The prosecution presented evidence suggesting that Gregg planned the murder in an attempt to prevent her mother from revealing her secret life with drugs. The teenager’s demeanor during the incident, including hiding the weapon and texting friends, indicated premeditation. The shocking events that unfolded in the Smylie household have raised questions about the mental health of young offenders and the impact of drug use on their behavior. The trial continues as the community grapples with the loss of a beloved teacher and the unraveling of a family tragedy.