TERRY, Miss. — Tony Morris, a 67-year-old Mississippi man, has been convicted of the first-degree murder of his wife, 64-year-old Kathleen Morris, after a tragic shooting that occurred in the midst of their divorce proceedings.
The jury found Morris guilty on Wednesday, and he was sentenced to life in prison for the deliberate design murder.
On the morning of August 26, 2024, at around 7:15 a.m., Hinds County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a distress call at the couple’s home in Terry, Mississippi. Upon arriving at the scene, they discovered Kathleen Morris‘s body with a gunshot wound to her upper body. The caller who reported the shooting was Tony Morris, the woman’s estranged husband.
Divorce and Domestic Conflict
Reports indicated that the Morris couple had been in the process of getting a divorce, which may have played a role in the tragic incident. According to local news affiliate WAPT, the brother of Tony Morris confirmed that the couple had been going through marital issues, leading to their separation.
The Hinds County Sheriff, Tyree Jones, confirmed that Tony Morris called 911 and admitted to shooting his wife. No further details about the specific motive were provided during the trial, but the situation was painted as a result of a moment of anger that escalated into violence.
Prosecutor’s Statement
Hinds County District Attorney Jodi E. Owens II emphasized the devastating consequences of the violent outburst, noting, “A single moment of anger ended a 31-year marriage and took a life. Kathleen Morris lost her life during a moment of escalation that should have never happened.”
Owens also stressed the importance of preventing violence through support systems and the need for communities to provide help before situations escalate.
Sentence and Impact
After being found guilty of deliberate design murder, Tony Morris was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in the Mississippi Department of Corrections.
The case highlights the severe and irreversible consequences of domestic violence, especially during emotionally charged situations like divorce.
A Community’s Reflection
This case has also sparked a conversation about the importance of violence prevention and the need for better community support systems for individuals facing emotional turmoil.
District Attorney Owens called for more effective ways to provide assistance to those in emotional distress, suggesting that timely intervention could prevent tragedies like this from happening.
