Tracy Lee Jenkins has been charged with first-degree murder and bound over to the grand jury following the death of his girlfriend last week, according to Tallahatchie County Sheriff William Brewer.
Brandi Hunt, 25, of 185 E. Third St., Crowder, died on the evening of May 2 at Regional One Health (formerly The Med) in Memphis, where she had been hospitalized in critical condition since suffering a single gunshot wound to the head April 20.
Jenkins, 25, of 357 Mount Olive Road, Tillatoba, was initially charged with domestic violence aggravated assault in connection with the shooting that occurred outside the Marshall Road Apartments complex near Charleston, where the couple were visiting.
The charge against Jenkins was upgraded to murder in the first degree on Thursday morning, May 3, Brewer said.
Jenkins appeared before Justice Court Judge Jimmy Fly for a probable cause hearing later that day. Fly ordered Jenkins bound over to the grand jury and held without bond.
Jenkins was led into and out of the Tallahatchie County Courthouse in Charleston for last week’s hearing amid visibly heightened security. Brewer carried a submachine gun while two of his deputies flanked Jenkins, who wore a bulletproof vest.
“There had been numerous threats on Facebook against him and his family, and we don’t know who made them,” said Brewer. “We were just being precautionary.”
IN THE PHOTO: Tracy Lee Jenkins, accused of the murder of his girlfriend, is escorted into the Tallahatchie County Courthouse May 3 by (from left) Deputy Sheriff Rodzinski Weekly, Sheriff William Brewer and Deputy Sheriff Taranetta Harris. (Photo by Clay McFerrin)
