TUPELO, Miss. — The fourth and final defendant in the July 24, 2021 triple homicide at a social gathering on Maynard Drive in Tupelo pleaded guilty Monday to three counts of manslaughter.
Jaylen Wells, 22, entered the pleas before Circuit Court Judge Kelly Mims in Lee County Circuit Court, according to a press release from District Attorney Jason D. Herring of the First Circuit Court District. Upon acceptance of the pleas, Wells was sentenced to 31 years in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections with an additional 29 years suspended.
Wells had been set to stand trial beginning Oct. 26, 2026.
The three victims — Norahs Coleman, Jessica Pannell and Robben Wilson — were killed while attending a social gathering on Maynard Drive in Tupelo on July 24, 2021. Following the incident, Wells was eventually apprehended by the Tupelo Police Department in Albany, New York.
Three other defendants already sentenced
Taquon Garth — sentenced May 1, 2026 to a total of 60 years for three separate manslaughter charges.
Javion Clifton — sentenced Sept. 20, 2023 to 20 years with an additional 40 years suspended for three separate manslaughter charges.
Shamar Carroll — sentenced Sept. 20, 2023 to 15 years with an additional five years suspended for accessory after the fact to capital murder.
The Tupelo Police Department investigated the crimes, led by Det. Tyler Cook. Assistant District Attorney Josh Wise prosecuted the cases on behalf of the state. DA’s office criminal investigator Mike Newlin and victim’s assistance coordinator Sheila Kelly were also commended for their work on the cases since 2021.
The DA’s office said law enforcement and the victims’ families approved the plea agreement.
Jon Ross Myers is the executive editor and publisher of the Mississippi News Network, Mississippi's largest digital only media company. He can be reached at editor@tippahnews.com
