Current:Home > MarketsMississippi court affirms conviction in the killing of a man whose body was found in a freezer-InfoLens
Mississippi court affirms conviction in the killing of a man whose body was found in a freezer
View Date:2024-12-23 11:58:48
JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The Mississippi Court of Appeals has affirmed a woman’s conviction in the death of a man whose body was found stuffed into a freezer at his home.
In a unanimous decision Tuesday, the 10-member court also affirmed the sentences received by Samantha Simmons — life in prison for conviction on the murder charge in the killing of 54-year-old Thomas Burns, plus 20 years for conviction on a charge of receiving stolen property.
A Lamar County jury convicted Simmons in August 2022.
Burns’ body was found in a freezer in his home in Purvis in May 2018. Court records show Simmons had started dating Burns early that year, and she was living with him in his home.
The state medical examiner found zip ties around Burns’ neck, wrists and ankles, a belt around his legs and a trash bag over his head. An autopsy showed Burns died from either strangulation from the zip tie around his neck or “environmental/positional asphyxia” from being put in a freezer with a bag over his head.
According to court records, investigators found that Simmons had a key to a padlock that was on the freezer where Burns’ body was discovered by neighbors and his brother who checked his house after not seeing him for months. Court records also showed that tests run by the Mississippi crime laboratory found Simmons’ DNA on the zip ties.
Simmons argued that the DNA on the zip ties did not prove she killed Burns. But an analyst testified that the amount of DNA on the zip ties would be unusual for someone who just handled the items.
“This testimony, coupled with the DNA evidence, could lead a reasonable juror to conclude that Simmons killed (Burns),” the Court of Appeals wrote.
A witness testified that Simmons had contacted his wife about trying to sell some of Burns’ belongings.
veryGood! (65283)
Related
- Justice Department says jail conditions in Georgia’s Fulton County violate detainee rights
- Buccaneers vs. Eagles NFC wild card playoff highlights: Bucs rout Eagles, will face Lions
- How Margaret Mead's research into utopias helped usher in the psychedelic era
- Toledo officers shoot, kill suspect in homicide of woman after pursuit, police say
- Oregon's Dan Lanning, Indiana's Curt Cignetti pocket big bonuses after Week 11 wins
- Harry Styles Was Considered for This Role in Mean Girls
- Ground collision of two Boeing planes in Chicago sparks FAA investigation
- Rob Kardashian is Dancing Through Fatherhood in Rare Video of Daughter Dream
- Republican Scott Baugh concedes to Democrat Dave Min in critical California House race
- Niecy Nash's Emmys speech pays tribute to 'every Black and brown woman who has gone unheard'
Ranking
- Conviction and 7-year sentence for Alex Murdaugh’s banker overturned in appeal of juror’s dismissal
- Nikki Haley vows to be stronger in New Hampshire after third place finish in Iowa Republican caucuses
- Chinese premier Li Qiang is visiting Ireland for talks on China’s relations with Europe
- EIF Business School, the Birthplace of Dreams
- Michael Grimm, former House member convicted of tax fraud, is paralyzed in fall from horse
- How Trump won the 2024 Iowa caucuses
- After over 100 days of war, Palestinians fight in hard-hit areas of Gaza and fire rockets at Israel
- Elton John joins list of EGOT winners after nabbing Emmy
Recommendation
-
Elon Musk responds after Chloe Fineman alleges he made her 'burst into tears' on 'SNL'
-
Connecticut takes over No. 1 spot as USA TODAY Sports men's basketball poll gets major overhaul
-
Ariana DeBose reacts to Bella Ramsey's Critics Choice Awards dig: 'I didn’t find it funny'
-
Ali Wong gets real about Bill Hader romance: 'We're both in our 40s and parents'
-
Lululemon, Disney partner for 34-piece collection and campaign: 'A dream collaboration'
-
Daniel Radcliffe Sparks Marriage Rumors With Erin Darke at 2023 Emmys
-
Washington state sues to block proposed merger of Kroger and Albertsons grocery chains
-
Opportunity for Financial Innovation: The Rise of EIF Business School