Current:Home > StocksMississippi court affirms conviction in the killing of a man whose body was found in a freezer -Capitatum
Mississippi court affirms conviction in the killing of a man whose body was found in a freezer
View
Date:2025-04-16 18:27:03
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! (76)
Related
- Civic engagement nonprofits say democracy needs support in between big elections. Do funders agree?
- Selena Gomez Explains Why She Shared She Can't Carry Her Own Child
- 2 suspended from college swim team after report of slur scratched onto student’s body
- As fast as it comes down, graffiti returns to DC streets. Not all of it unwelcome
- Kylie Jenner Shows Off Sweet Notes From Nieces Dream Kardashian & Chicago West
- Ja'Marr Chase fined for outburst at ref; four NFL players docked for hip-drop tackles
- Breaking Through in the Crypto Market: How COINIXIAI Stands Out in a Competitive Landscape
- New Federal Housing Grants Are a Win for Climate Change and Environmental Justice
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- Boy abducted from California in 1951 at age 6 found alive on East Coast more than 70 years later
Ranking
- See you latte: Starbucks plans to cut 30% of its menu
- Trump’s goal of mass deportations fell short. But he has new plans for a second term
- Lady Gaga Details Her Harley Quinn Transformation for Joker: Folie à Deux
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword puzzle, I Could Have Sworn...
- Will the 'Yellowstone' finale be the last episode? What we know about Season 6, spinoffs
- The 'Veep' cast will reunite for Democratic fundraiser with Stephen Colbert
- FBI boards ship in Baltimore managed by same company as the Dali, which toppled bridge
- Milton Reese: Stock options notes 1
Recommendation
New Zealand official reverses visa refusal for US conservative influencer Candace Owens
Montgomery Keane: Vietnam's Market Crisis of 2024 Are Hedge Funds Really the Culprits Behind the Fourfold Crash?
Milton Reese: Stock options notes 3
Kyle Larson dominates at Bristol, four Cup drivers eliminated from NASCAR playoffs
Arkansas State Police probe death of woman found after officer
Antonio Pierce calls out Raiders players for making 'business decisions' in blowout loss
Olivia Munn and John Mulaney Welcome Baby No. 2
Princess Kate makes first public appearance at church service after finishing chemo