Fourth and final suspect in Tupelo triple murder case accepts plea deal

‘We are fortunate to get this done today,  for some closure, at least to this part,” said First District D.A. Jason Herring.

Wells pleaded guilty to three counts of culpable negligent manslaughter.  He was originally charged with three counts of capital murder.  It was back on July 24, 2021 when Wells, along with three other suspects, drove through a block party on Maynard Drive.  Witnesses say numerous shots were fired from inside the car, into the crowd.

Norahs Coleman, Jessica Pannell and Robben Wilson were killed.  Police say the shooting was the result of a minor incident,  that turned into a senseless shooting.

After hearing emotional witness statements from victims’ family members,  Judge Kelly Mims sentenced Wells to a 31-year prison sentence, as part of the plea deal.

Wells was the last of the four suspects to accept a plea deal and sentence.   D. A. Herring says the focus needs to stay on the victims and their families.

‘The criminal justice system has taken care of the four persons responsible for the loss of their very young lives,” Herring said.

Orlando Pannell says offering forgiveness to those who killed his daughter, Jessica and her friends was not easy.  However,  he wants people to remember Jessica for the joy she brought to everyone she met.

‘Jessica was a lively person, she loved people, she was on the verge of graduating college, going to pharmacy school, was an aunt, a good daughter, loved her mom, she was my twin, she loved taking pictures, and I loved taking pictures of her, I am glad we did, people say she looks like her Mom, but she looks like me.  She is missed,”  Pannell said.

Whitehill Missionary Church Pastor Jeffrey Daniel counts members of the victims’ and suspects’ families as part of his congregation.  Pastor Daniel says the senseless actions of one evening, will have a lasting impact on many lives. He remembers baptizing Jaylen as a youth.

‘Remember his mother bringing him to so many programs that were there, but just as this world offers things that causes them to veer away, they make poor decisions,  this was a tragic decision. I still have to pastor regardless, just as the family did, forgiveness was offered,  I offered that advice that if he needs advice I want to be there to guide him,” Pastor Daniel said.

Wells is required to serve at least sixty percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

Wells has been in jail since he was arrested several months after the murders.