In the quiet community of Olive Branch, Mississippi, the life of 25-year-old Justin Edward Jones was tragically cut short on the first day of February in 2020. Responding to a call, Olive Branch Police found Jones shot to death in front of an apartment at the Plantation Apartments, located in the 9300 block of Stateline Road. The violent encounter also left a second individual wounded and in need of immediate medical care at Regional One Health.
Investigators quickly determined that the shooting was not a random act of violence but rather the grim culmination of a dispute that had erupted among a group of people inside one of the apartments. The ensuing investigation led to the identification of four individuals connected to the fatal incident. Three arrests were made in the days following the shooting. William Lee Austin, 28, and Michael Kincaid Shipp, 37, were taken into custody and faced serious charges of murder, attempted murder, and felony conspiracy. Their bonds were set at a steep $1 million each. Also arrested was 30-year-old Sharnesha Anjoyletta Maxwell, who was charged with possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute and being an accessory after the fact. Her bond was established at $72,222.
A fourth man, 29-year-old Deadrick Kentrell Williams of Memphis, was identified as a suspect and wanted on charges of murder and attempted murder. Law enforcement officials publicly sought information regarding his whereabouts.
Justice began to take its course for one of the accused in a DeSoto County courtroom. In February 2023, Michael Kincaid Shipp stood trial for his role in the events that led to Justin Jones's death. After a three-day trial, a jury found Shipp guilty of conspiracy to commit murder, attempted murder, and capital murder. In April of that year, he was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the capital murder conviction. Additionally, he received a consecutive sentence of 35 years for the conspiracy and attempted murder charges. An appeal of his conviction was later denied. Information regarding the arrests and the final court dispositions for William Lee Austin, Deadrick Kentrell Williams, and Sharnesha Anjoyletta Maxwell is not publicly available.
