OKTIBBEHA COUNTY — A woman will spend 35 years in prison for fatally shooting a man at a townhouse complex in Oktibbeha County two years ago.
Portia Manning, 34, pleaded guilty to second-degree murder in Oktibbeha County Circuit Court Monday, a press release from District Attorney Scott Colom’s office said.
Manning was sentenced to 40 years, with 35 to serve and five suspended, in the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
She was convicted in the October 20, 2021 murder of Ti’hyree Davis, 28, who was killed after a failed drug deal turned violent, Colom told The Dispatch Monday.
“This sentence reflects the serious nature of the crime and the impact it has had on the victim’s family and our community,” Colom said in the press release. “While no sentence can ever truly compensate for the loss of a life, we hope that this outcome provides some measure of justice and closure for the victim’s loved ones.”
Manning was initially charged with capital murder, aggravated assault and carjacking in the case, Colom said, as she allegedly also shot another male victim and stole a car during the incident.
But Colom said the other shooting victim asked him to focus on prosecuting Davis’ murder, since the other victim recovered from his injuries.
The carjacking charge was dismissed as a part of the plea deal.
Colom said Manning was represented by defense attorney Stephanie Mallette. The Dispatch was unable to reach Mallette by press time.
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