BATESVILLE — A Batesville man pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to a total of 45 years in prison in connection with the April 2025 shooting death of a 13-year-old child, officials said.
Jabari Deshun Byrd entered the guilty plea Tuesday, August 25, after a jury was selected for his murder trial.
Judge Smith Murphey V sentenced Byrd to 30 years in the Mississippi Department of Corrections. The sentence will run consecutively to a previously imposed 15-year revocation sentence, bringing his total sentence to 45 years.
The case stemmed from a shooting April 13, 2025, near Claude and Everette streets in Batesville.
Batesville police officers responded to the shooting and were later dispatched to Panola Medical Center, where a 13-year-old gunshot victim had been taken. The child died from injuries sustained in the shooting.
Police detectives conducted what officials described as an extensive investigation that led to the arrests of multiple people and identified Byrd as a suspect in the child’s death.
Officials thanked Batesville police officers and investigators for their work on the lengthy investigation and the Panola County Sheriff’s Department for providing additional security during the court proceedings.
Officials also thanked Panola County residents who reported for jury duty, noting that the large crowds attending the proceedings required additional security.
