Mississippi teenager Carly Gregg is seeking a new trial after her conviction

A Rankin County teenager sentenced to life in prison without parole for the murder of her mother and attempted murder of her stepfather is seeking another trial, court records show.

Defense attorney Bridget Todd filed a motion Thursday requesting a new trial against 15-year-old Carly Gregg, saying, “New evidence and materials have recently been discovered that would likely produce a different outcome in a new trial.”

On September 20, Gregg was sentenced to life in prison without parole after a jury found her guilty of murdering her 40-year-old mother, Ashley Smylie, murdering her 39-year-old stepfather, Heath Smylie, and attempting to manipulate her Proof. The crime occurred March 19 at the family home in Brandon.

A previous Clarion Ledger report said Gregg shot her mother multiple times with a .357 Magnum revolver, killing her. After the shooting, Gregg texted Heath from Ashley's phone to see when Heath would be home, invited a friend over, and showed him Ashley's body.

“Witnesses necessary to provide evidence in Carly’s defense were unfairly excluded from testifying at trial. “Witnesses were unreasonably restricted in their testimony in Carly’s defense,” Todd wrote. “Carly did not receive a fair and impartial trial.”

The defense listed more than a dozen reasons for a new trial in the nine-page motion.

Todd states that the trial presented “undisputed evidence” of Gregg's mental illness, loving relationship with Ashley and Heath, lack of prior criminal charges, lack of prior violence, good school records, and Heath's statement that Gregg “was not of sound mind and this “didn’t do it either.” In this case, “recognizing him” at the time of the crime “does not support the verdict or punishment.”

The attorney argued that Gregg was “denied a fair and impartial trial” due to the “extensive” media coverage before the trial, the state's “inaccurate statements” during the live-streamed pretrial hearings and other matters.

Todd also mentioned that a WLBT reporter told Defender on September 26 that Kevin Gregg, Carly's biological father, disclosed in an “unaired portion of his interview” with the media organization that Carly was placed in a prison as a young child because of experiences she had He was admitted to “equestrian therapy” and had auditory hallucinations.

According to WebMD, equine therapy, also called equine therapy, is a program in which professionals guide people through activities involving horses to help people suffering from various forms of trauma.

WLBT disputed Todd's claim made in the motion.

“…A thorough review of the transcript of this interview and the reporters who worked on the story shows that Carly's father never said anything about it. “On Friday around 4:30 p.m., WLBT contacted Bridget Todd and asked her why that was included. “She has not yet responded to the appeal,” WLBT reported.

In the motion filing, Todd also raised concerns about whether the teen was mature enough to understand the allegations against her, decide on plea offers and participate in her defense. Todd pointed out that a person must be at least 21 years old to serve on a jury in the state of Mississippi, although they can register to vote as early as 18 years old.

See why:Carly Gregg was deemed fit to stand trial based on the judge's decision

“Mississippi believes that only a person 21 years of age or older has the maturity to make decisions about another person’s life. However, Mississippi also believes that a 14/15 year old has the maturity necessary to make decisions about plea offers, understand the nature of the alleged crimes, understand the nature of the charges against them, participate effectively in their defense in court, and face the same life sentences as an adult,” Todd wrote.

“However, these two fundamentally contradictory legal norms cannot be corrected. This appeal constitutes a new trial or, alternatively, a judgment regardless of the verdict.”

Mississippi teenager Carly Gregg is seeking a new trial after her conviction

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Mississippi teenager Carly Gregg is seeking a new trial after her conviction

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