2 face capital murder charges in death of Mississippi college student
STARKVILLE, Miss. - Two of the five suspects being held in the shooting death of 21-year-old Mississippi State University student now face capital murder charges.
The Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal reports that officials upgraded the charges Thursday against 18-year-old Syboris Pippins and 20-year-old Jaylen Barker, both of Columbus. They are now being held on bonds of $2 million each. If convicted, both could face the death penalty.
The charges stem from the early Sunday morning robbery and murder of Joseph Tillman.
Starkville Police Chief Frank Nichols said Tillman, a senior marketing major, was seen interacting with a group of men in the Cotton District. After interacting for several minutes, Nichols says Tillman was robbed and shot.
Police have also charged three others, including a 16-year-old, with accessory after the fact to murder.