In the summer of 2016, the life of 22-year-old Clayton Bexley was tragically cut short in a harrowing series of events that unfolded in Forrest County, Mississippi. A White/Caucasian male from Leakesville, Bexley and his girlfriend, Shanna “Bre” Harper, found themselves in a vulnerable situation, facing financial hardship. Their circumstances led them to accept an offer of shelter from a 54-year-old man from Wiggins named William 'Allen' Gillum. This act of apparent kindness, however, veiled a sinister and violent plot that would culminate in Bexley's murder and Harper's abduction.
On the night of July 15, 2016, the situation at Gillum's residence took a horrific turn. Harper later testified that Gillum tied her up and subjected her to a brutal sexual assault. During this terrifying ordeal, Bexley was shot in the back of the head. Investigators believe the murder took place in Gillum's shed, where a significant amount of blood was discovered. After the murder, Bexley's body was moved to a nearby tree line on Carnes Road, where it was later discovered. The initial discovery of his body, with at least one gunshot wound, immediately launched a homicide investigation. The case escalated dramatically when Harper contacted the authorities, reporting that she had been kidnapped and raped, providing the crucial link to Gillum.
The investigation swiftly led to the arrest of William 'Allen' Gillum, who was subsequently charged with first-degree murder, kidnapping, and rape. During his four-day trial, Gillum maintained his innocence, even suggesting that Harper could have been the perpetrator. However, the forensic evidence presented by the prosecution told a different story. Gunshot residue and DNA evidence implicated Gillum, and the firearm used in the murder was found to be his. The jury was not swayed by his defense and found him guilty of capital murder, kidnapping, and rape.
In December 2018, Judge Jon Mark Weathers handed down Gillum's sentence. In a poignant moment, Clayton Bexley's mother, Mary Peacock, requested that the death penalty be taken off the table, stating that she forgave Gillum for his actions. Respecting her wishes, the judge sentenced Gillum to life in prison without the possibility of parole. To ensure he would spend the remainder of his life incarcerated, Gillum received an additional 60 years for the kidnapping and rape charges, with the judge emphasizing that these sentences would run consecutively.
