Update: Judge Tomeka Harris has set a gag order in this case preventing any public discussion of today’s hearing or the case moving forward.

 

PORT GIBSON — A woman convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the killing of her 14-month-old stepdaughter, is seeking a new trial.

Attorneys for T’Kia Bevily, convicted of capital murder in January for the killing of 14-month-old Jurayah Smith, are scheduled to hold a press conference Monday at the Claiborne County Courthouse, following a hearing where they will ask for a new trial.

In a release from The Cochran Firm, based in Jackson, attorney Terris Harris is expected to discuss the team’s plans to overturn the conviction. 

“Bevily’s legal team alleges significant misconduct occurred during her trial, which necessitated the request for a new trial,” the firm said in its release Monday. 

Bevily was convicted at the end of a five-day-long trial, where evidence was presented showing the baby sustained multiple “blunt-force trauma” injuries to her head, resulting in her death.

According to Claiborne County’s District Attorney Daniella Shorter, these injuries occurred while the child was in the sole custody of the defendants, T’Kia and Morris Bevily, the baby’s father.

“I could not be prouder of my prosecution team which brought Jurayah’s murderer to justice,” Shorter said in January following the conviction. “Now Jurayah’s family can finally have some peace knowing that T’Kia Bevily will be in the custody of the Mississippi Department of Corrections.”

Jurayah was killed on Oct. 22, 2017, and her death was ruled a homicide.

The child’s mother, DeDreuna Smith released the following statement after Bevily’s conviction:

“I’d like to thank God, along with the District Attorney & the state of Mississippi for pursuing Justice on behalf of my 14-month-old daughter,” DeDreuna Smith, the child’s mother, said after T’Kia Bevily’s conviction in January. “Knowing that the person responsible for the homicide of my precious Jurayah is being held accountable for their actions brings a feeling of relief over my whole family. Receiving this guilty verdict is only the start of the healing process for my family, our friends, loved ones and myself. We’re grateful for the outcome and we’re hopeful for the peaceful closure that this process has brought.”