HOUSTON — A Chickasaw County man on Thursday was sentenced to life with the possibility of parole in connection with the October 2020 shooting death of Tallahatchie County resident Robert Lester "Rob" Cox II, according to a report by WTVA.
A circuit court jury on Wednesday had found Jarquavious Doss, 19, of Houston, guilty of capital murder, aggravated assault, armed robbery and conspiracy to commit armed robbery in the case.
Proceedings resumed Thursday, when the jury was asked to decide whether Doss should serve life with or without the possibility of parole, WTVA's account noted. Jurors were unable to reach an agreement on the sentence, said the report, citing District Attorney Ben Creekmore.
At that point, Circuit Judge Kent E. Smith sentenced Doss to life with the possibility of parole for murder, 50 years for armed robbery, 20 years for aggravated assault and five years for conspiracy to commit murder, the account said.
Because Doss is a juvenile, he can file a petition for parole eligibility after 10 years. However, if he is granted parole, the lesser sentences will kick in and begin, noted the report.
The trial against Doss, one of three men charged in the case, had begun Monday.
On Oct. 26, 2020, Cox, 40, co-owner of B&C Construction and operator of the Paynes Water Association, traveled to Houston with his 22-year-old stepdaughter for the purpose of buying a car from someone who had advertised it for sale on social media.
Instead, they were ambushed by three people, one of whom shot Cox. The stepdaughter was able to run away and hide until police arrived.
On Tuesday, she told the court that she believes Doss was the shooter.
Doss was one of three Houston residents arrested in the case in June 2021.
A grand jury indicted all three suspects of capital murder, robbery with a deadly weapon, conspiracy and aggravated assault.
Jeremiah Fears, 23, and Lamarius Spraggins, 26, still await trial for their alleged roles in the crime.
