Two Columbus men have been indicted for capital murder in the November 2016 shooting death of a Mississippi State University student.
A grand jury indicted 19-year-old Syboris Pippins and 21-year-old Jaylen Barker last week for their alleged role in the Nov. 6, 2016, murder of 21-year-old Joseph Tillman in Starkville’s Cotton District. Mississippi 16th Circuit District Attorney Scott Colom confirmed the indictments to The Dispatch.
Colom said he’s working to confirm an arraignment date and time with Pippins’ and Barker’s attorneys.
Beyond that, Colom said he couldn’t comment on the case.
Starkville Police Department arrested both men last year, Barker for murder and Pippins for robbery. Both charges were later upgraded to capital murder, and Barker was also charged with possession of a stolen firearm.
Capital murder charges can carry a death sentence or life in prison without the possibility of parole.
Tillman was allegedly robbed and shot to death on Maxwell Street during the incident. Police believe Tillman was walking along Maxwell Street, between Stagger-In and Bin 612, when several suspects approached him. Police said the group interacted for a few minutes, before the alleged robbery happened.
Police said Tillman chased one person toward Stagger-In and returned to confront the other suspects. At least one shot was fired in this second confrontation.
Barker was booked into the Clay County Jail on a $2.03 million bond, while Pippins was booked in Oktibbeha County Jail on a $2 million bond.
Three other men were arrested in relation to the incident. Oktibbeha County Sheriff’s Office deputies arrested 17-year-old Tyler Harris, 23-year-old Jamario Pippins and 20-year-old Brandon Sherrod for accessory after the fact after they allegedly fled the scene.
Alex Holloway was formerly a reporter with The Dispatch.
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