Teen Murder Suspect Undergoes Psychiatric Review During Trial

A psychiatrist has provided testimony in the ongoing trial of Carly Gregg, a 15-year-old accused of murdering her mother and injuring her stepfather in a shooting incident. Dr. Andrew Clark, testifying for the defense, stated that Gregg was in a mental health crisis at the time of the shooting. The incident, which occurred on March 19 at the family’s residence in Brandon, Mississippi, has raised considerable attention due to Gregg’s alleged psychological conditions preceding the tragic event.

Carly’s mother, Ashley Smylie, a teacher at Northwest Rankin High School, confronted her daughter about her recent marijuana use on the day of the shooting. Dr. Clark reported that Gregg began smoking marijuana approximately six weeks before the incident. In his testimony, Clark described Gregg’s recollection as fragmented, noting that she only remembered letting the family dogs out and then finding herself on the roadside, where she was later picked up by law enforcement.

Officer Tony Shack from the Rankin County Sheriff’s Office testified regarding his encounter with Gregg shortly after the incident. According to Shack, when approached, Gregg inquired about her stepfather’s condition but did not mention her mother. Clark emphasized that Gregg was experiencing significant mental health issues, exacerbated by medication, culminating in mood swings and auditory hallucinations.

Dr. Clark elaborated on Gregg’s family dynamics, describing her relationship with her mother as “close yet complicated” and an affectionate bond with her stepfather, Heath Smylie. Conversely, Gregg’s relationship with her biological father was described as troubled, with Clark noting the father’s diagnosis of bipolar disorder. This backdrop of familial complexity contributed to Gregg’s mental state, marked by self-harm behaviors starting around the age of 11 or 12.

Throughout late 2023, Gregg’s parents had been aware of her self-harming actions and had taken steps including therapy and medication. Clark reported that medication adjustments did not yield the desired improvements, leaving Gregg feeling emotionally numb. Her mental challenges, including mood instability and hallucinations, reportedly intensified in the months leading to the shooting.

As the trial progressed, Judge Dewey Arthur asked Gregg if she wanted to testify, to which she expressed a preference to observe the proceedings before making a decision. A close friend of Gregg’s, testifying under anonymity, supported claims of her mental struggles, reporting that Gregg had expressed hearing voices before and after the arrest.

On the day of the shooting, footage from Officer Shack’s body camera was presented to the jury, showing Gregg admitting to firing the gun. Charged as an adult, Gregg faces potential prison terms ranging from 20 years to life if convicted. The trial continues as more evidence is brought to the forefront.