Karen Spence, a former Clarion-Limestone school nurse and one of three former Jefferson County residents charged in connection with the 2022 murder of Tippah County businessman Kirby Carpenter, has pleaded guilty to a reduced charge.
According to court filings, Spence entered an Alford plea on Friday, September 19, 2025, to accessory after the fact to grand larceny. Under this type of plea, she did not admit guilt but acknowledged that prosecutors had sufficient evidence to secure a conviction.
Sentence and Probation Terms
Circuit Court Judge sentenced Spence to 10 years in prison, which was suspended in full, and placed her on five years of unsupervised probation. Her probation comes with strict conditions, including:
Remaining in Mississippi unless granted permission to leave
Abstaining from alcohol and illegal drugs
Submitting to random chemical testing
Continuing GPS monitoring
Paying court costs and a district attorney’s fee of $694.50, plus any restitution determined later
Avoiding Trial
The plea deal spares Spence from standing trial just days before her husband, Jeffrey Spence, is scheduled to face a jury on capital murder and conspiracy charges. Their daughter, Caitlin Spence, previously accepted a separate plea deal, agreeing to testify against her parents in exchange for a reduced sentence.
Prosecutors allege Karen Spence knowingly aided her husband in the aftermath of Carpenter’s killing, including helping to secure valuable items stolen from his property.
Case Background
Carpenter, 36, a dealer in precious metals and owner of Mississippi Gold, Silver and Coin Exchange, was found shot behind his garage on December 2, 2022. Investigators believe he was killed two days earlier, shortly after returning home from a grocery store. At the time, Carpenter was living with Caitlin Spence and their infant daughter.
After his death, Carpenter’s family reported suspicious activity at his home, including changed locks and safe codes. Days later, Carpenter’s mother allegedly found bags of precious metals in Jeffrey Spence’s car. By mid-December 2022, the Spence family had left Mississippi.
Authorities tracked them down nearly one year later:
Jeffrey and Karen Spence were arrested in Smyth County, Virginia.
Caitlin Spence was arrested in Brookville, Pennsylvania. All three were later extradited to Mississippi and indicted by a Tippah County grand jury in April 2024 on charges of capital murder, conspiracy, and grand larceny.
What’s Next
Jeffrey Spence remains in custody without bail and is set to stand trial on September 23, 2025.
Caitlin Spence’s sentencing is deferred until she testifies at her father’s trial.
Karen Spence will serve probation but avoids prison time unless she violates her conditions.
