Gag Order Issued in a Case Involving a Woman Convicted of Killing Her 14-Month-Old Stepdaughter
PORT GIBSON — A woman convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the killing of her 14-month-old stepdaughter is seeking a new trial.
Attorneys for T’Kia Bevily, convicted of capital murder in January for the killing of 14-month-old Jurayah Smith, were scheduled to hold a press conference Monday at the Claiborne County Courthouse, following a hearing where they will ask for a new trial. But, following the hearing, the judge in the case, Judge Tomeka Harris placed a gag order on the proceedings preventing anyone involved from commenting on the hearing or any rulings in the hearing.
According to a release from The Cochran Firm, based in Jackson, attorney Terris Harris, who is representing Bevily, was expected to discuss the team’s plans to overturn the conviction.
“Bevily’s legal team alleges significant misconduct occurred during her trial, which necessitated the request for a new trial,” the firm said in its release Monday.
