TOI World Desk
The latest surveillance footage presented in court shows Gregg walking through her home and disappearing into her mother’s bedroom, followed by the sound of three gunshots and Ashley Smylie’s screams.Afterward, Gregg returned to the kitchen, grabbed her mother’s phone, and sent a text to her stepfather, Heath.
According to prosecutors, the text read, “When will you be home, honey?” When Heath arrived, Gregg reportedly shot him in the shoulder. He managed to overpower her and wrestle the gun away.
Reports indicate that Ashley Smylie, a high school teacher, found vape pens in Gregg’s room after being alerted by one of Gregg’s friends. The Rankin County assistant district attorney mentioned a friend who was worried about Gregg’s marijuana use and felt compelled to inform Ashley Smylie.
Psychiatrist Dr Andrew Clark said that Gregg was in a mental health crisis on the day of the shooting. Clark described her as experiencing mood swings, hearing voices, and having dissociative problems, which were worsened by her medications. He said, as quoted by the New York Post, “And then, her mother finds out she’s smoking marijuana. For Carly, in particular, she cared so much about her mother’s approval, so for her, this was a crisis.”
Heath Smylie testified that Gregg did not remember the shooting and described her as a “sweet little girl.” He added, “I never saw anybody like that, even in movies. She was not herself, and I do not believe she even recognized me.”
Gregg faces charges of murder, attempted murder, and tampering with evidence. She turned down a plea deal and is pursuing an insanity defense. If convicted, she could face life in prison for the murder charge, plus an additional 30 years to life for the other charges.